The Trump administration has announced plans to significantly restrict the number of refugees allowed into the United States for the 2026 fiscal year. The new cap will restrict admissions to only 7,500 people. This is a deep cut from last year’s limit of 125,000, which was established under the Biden administration. A short notice posted in the Federal Registry on Thursday shows a particularly bad outcome of that decision. This decision is hugely troubling for anyone escaping conflict and persecution the world over.
The government memo justifying this reduction states “humanitarian concerns” as the first reason for permitting 7,500 refugees. Further, it asserts that this policy shall be deemed to be “otherwise in the national interest.” No tangible rationale justified the historic slashing of refugee arrivals. This has raised alarm bells among many advocates and organizations as to what could possibly be behind such a decision.
This new limit overwhelmingly benefits white South Africans in the distribution of spots. This decision has since come under fire and sparked an important discussion about what should even be considered when admitting refugees. As the U.S. has done throughout its history, we should welcome those fleeing persecution and violence with open arms. Anyone from anywhere has come to this country, found sanctuary here. Just a few years ago, hundreds of thousands of refugees were welcomed into the country, a testament to the United States’ long-held commitment to humanitarian leadership.
The cut to 7,500 represents one of the lowest admission levels in TBC’s recent memory. Refugee advocates have expressed shock at this decision. They claim it destroys the nation’s well-established policy of offering refuge to the desperate. Critics of the move are sounding alarms, arguing that restricting admissions will put lives at risk and deprive vulnerable communities of essential protection.
As battles over immigration policy rage on across the country, this announcement marks a major victory for pro-immigration advocates after the administration has shifted priorities. This cut disproportionately affects people who apply for asylum at the border. It does raise troubling questions about America’s future role in global humanitarian leadership.