Trump sets refugee cap at 7,500—down from Biden’s high of 125,000

The document from the Trump White House stated, "The admissions of up to 7,500 refugees to the United States during Fiscal Year 2026 is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest."

"The admissions numbers shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa pursuant to Executive Order 14204, and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands. Refugee admissions under this determination, which may reach but not exceed the numerical limit described herein, are in all respects subject to the requirements of other Presidential policies and actions, whether issued prior or subsequent to this determination," the order added.

Multiple executive orders for the measure were cited in the document, including one that states, "refugees [will] receive the most stringent identification verification of any class of alien seeking admission or entry to the United States."

Executive Order 14204 was also cited, which "provides for refugee resettlement of Afrikaners from South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination."

Under the Biden administration, in the fiscal year of 2025 alone, before he left office, former President Joe Biden set the cap for refugees at 125,000, as he did for fiscal year 2024. In the four years under Biden, the administration expanded the use of refugee status as well as parole status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants and allowed millions of people into the country illegally with the end of the Remain in Mexico policy that was implemented under Trump's first term.

Since taking office, the 47th president has taken steps to secure the border and enforce immigration law to a great extent, with a priority of deporting illegal immigrants in the country who have criminal records or are connected to cartels and gangs such as Tren de Aragua.

WH Doc Refugees