Donald Trump reduces US Refugee Admissions to a record low, Biden criticises move

US President Donald Trump has said on Wednesday, September 30 that his administration would t allow more than 15,000 refugees over coming year. According to  Refugee Council USA, it is record low figure amid a surging global displacement. Nearly 80 million people around world are displaced, double number a decade ago, according to UN Refugee ncy. 

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Slash in refugee admits

US State Department has said that reduction in figures has been implemented to prioritize "safety and well-being of Americans, especially in light of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic." According to reports, Trump, who is seeking reelection on vember 3 has slashed refugee admissions every year since taking office in 2017. new move occurred less than an hour before start of 2021 fiscal year, narrowly meeting a deadline enshrined in US law. 

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In addition, 15000 figure over next 12 months is a furr cut from 18,000 last year. Refugee Act established in 1980 states that President must issue ir demands by October 1. As per reports, admissions of refugees into US was already hit this year in March due to coronavirus pandemic and Trump administration claimed that re is a dire need to protect American jobs as pandemic has shattered American ecomy to a record low. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added White House is committed to providing a safe haven for refugees. 

On or hand, Joe Biden, Trump's Democratic rival in vember 3 elections has vowed to raise refugee cap back to 125,000 ting that welcoming persecuted  is in line with US values. President Trump in his response criticized Biden for promising to raise cap and said vilified refugees as an unwanted burden for country at a campaign rally in Duluth, Minnesota. Trump was reported to have told supporters that Biden will turn Minnesota into a refugee camp with overwhelming public resources, overcrowding schools and inundating hospitals.

Senator Patrick Leahy wrote on Twitter, "Just mins. before deadline to meaningfully consult w/ Congress on refugee admissions, Trump admin sent us a piece of paper proposing to FURR slash refugee admissions from 18K to 15K, 2 lowest admissions caps IN HISTORY. Congress should reject this out of hand."

 

He added, "Eugh w/ racist fearmongering, Mr. President. Refugees aren't a threat OR a burden; y've made extraordinary contributions to our society. And by way y pay tens of billions in taxes each year. That's a whole lot of zeroes more than you can say for yourself..."

 

According to UN data, US accepted a record number of refugees as compared to or countries but last year Canada topped US by resettling more than 30,000 refugees. 

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