Press Statement | October 31, 2025

Historic Low in U.S. Refugee Admissions Contradicts Global Humanitarian Needs 

Arlington, VA – (October 31, 2025) – The White House is slated to publish today a refugee admissions goal of 7,500 for Fiscal Year 2026, marking a significant reduction in the number of refugees who will be offered resettlement opportunities in the United States.

ECDC is deeply concerned that the United States’ response not only falls short of maintaining recent progress in providing protection to vulnerable communities but also fails to reflect the scale of today’s global humanitarian needs.

Moreover, this announcement comes at a time when the UNHCR’s 2024 Global Trends Report highlights record levels of displacement, with over 123 million people forced from their homes worldwide and 2.5 million refugees urgently in need of resettlement.

“It is our nation’s moral duty and historic responsibility to uphold global humanitarian leadership by offering protection and life-saving opportunities to those forced from their homes,” said Dr. Tsehaye Teferra, President and CEO of ECDC.

“We are especially concerned about the thousands of refugees already vetted and approved for resettlement: Afghan allies who supported U.S. forces, Syrians, Sudanese and other deserving African refugees who have fled violence, civil war and genocide in their respective countries and have been living in refugee camps for years,” Dr. Tsehaye added.

Many of these individuals continue to face dire and precarious conditions, with their daily survival hanging in the balance. More than 120,000 refugees had been conditionally approved for resettlement as of January 20, yet their paths to safety remain stalled amid policy restrictions and uncertainty.

As a humanitarian organization that has partnered with the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program for over four decades, ECDC urges the Administration to reconsider this decision and renew America’s leadership in protecting the world’s most vulnerable. ECDC remains steadfast in its commitment to refugees and displaced persons seeking safety and a chance to rebuild their lives.

For inquiries: communications@ecdcus.org