Executive Order 14155: Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program

This executive order, issued by the President, temporarily suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) due to the increasing number of migrants coming into the country, including through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). While cities and towns across the country, including major ones like New York and Chicago, have struggled to manage the influx, the government argues that the U.S. currently lacks the capacity to safely and effectively absorb such large numbers of refugees without negatively impacting public resources, safety, and national security.

Under the order, decisions on refugee applications will be paused until further review, although the government retains the discretion to approve refugee admissions on a case-by-case basis if deemed in the national interest. The order also includes a provision for closer collaboration between state and local authorities in determining where refugees are resettled, in hopes of ensuring smoother integration.

A report on whether the program should resume will be submitted to the President within 90 days and every 90 days thereafter, until a decision is made. This action also revokes a previous executive order from 2021 that aimed to enhance refugee resettlement programs, signaling a shift in approach towards stricter control over refugee admissions.

Takeaway

The argument that the U.S. lacks the capacity to absorb large numbers of refugees ignores the country’s history of successfully managing significant influxes of migrants. The U.S. has long been a global leader in refugee resettlement, demonstrating its ability to integrate diverse populations while maintaining its economy and public services. Claiming insufficient capacity undermines this legacy and sends a message that the U.S. is retreating from its humanitarian commitments. The U.S. is a global power with the capacity to lead by example. By suspending refugee admissions, the country risks damaging its moral authority on the international stage. This action could also encourage other nations to follow suit, reducing the global capacity to address the refugee crisis and exacerbating humanitarian suffering.