Refugees contribute $124b to U.S. economy

Biden sets 125,000 as 2025 admission target

President Joe Biden has signed the presidential determination on refugee admissions for Fiscal Year 2025, setting the refugee admissions target at 125,000 for the upcoming fiscal year.

This is higher than the 100,000 refugees resettled in the country in Fiscal Year 2024, which is the largest yearly number in three decades. The United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, in a statement lauding the input of refugees, said that for over a 15-year period, they had contributed almost $124 billion to the U.S. economy.

He explained that refugee resettlement reflected the critical role of America as a global leader in providing refuge to people fleeing persecution overseas.
He noted that in 2024, they resettled 100,000 refugees, the largest yearly number in three decades.

“This is a testament to our successful work to rebuild the U.S. Refugee Admissions Programme with help from partners around the world and thousands of Americans across the country, who have stepped up to sponsor refugees through the Welcome Corps,” he added.

According to him, refugee resettlement is orderly, subject to rigorous vetting, and benefits and enriches American communities.

“In cities and towns throughout America, refugees contribute to urban revitalisation, add to the vibrancy of local communities, and drive America’s competitiveness and innovation on the global stage. And resettlement offers the unique opportunity of a better life to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, at a time of historic global levels of displacement,” he said.

Blinken added that the refugee admissions target of 125,000 would ensure the United States would continue to be a global leader in providing safety and opportunity for those facing persecution around the world.

The admissions numbers shall be allocated among refugees of special humanitarian concern to the United States in accordance with the following regional allocations: Africa, 30,000-50,000; East Asia. 10,000-20,000; Europe and Central Asia 2,000-3,000; Latin America/Caribbean 35,000-50,000; and Near East/South Asia 30,000-45,000.