On September 30, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Determination setting the refugee admissions ceiling at 7,500 for Fiscal Year 2026 — the lowest cap on record. The determination was officially published in the Federal Register on October 31, 2025.
Key Highlights
- The 7,500 admissions are justified by humanitarian concerns or are deemed in the national interest.
- Admissions will be primarily allocated to Afrikaners from South Africa, citing claims of racial discrimination.
- The determination also allows for the admission of other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their home countries.
Policy Context and Controversy
This move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape refugee policy, both domestically and globally. The administration has emphasized stringent vetting, citing national security concerns. Refugees must now undergo the most rigorous identification verification of any class of foreign national seeking entry to the US.
The determination references multiple executive orders and proclamations that:
- Suspend refugee entry unless jointly approved by the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security
- Prioritize refugee resettlement for specific groups, such as Afrikaners
- Restrict entry of foreign nationals deemed detrimental to US interests
Program Oversight Shift
In a related move, the White House announced that oversight of refugee support programs will shift from the State Department to the Department of Health and Human Services, signaling a structural change in how refugee services are administered.
Background
The FY 2026 cap stands in stark contrast to the 100,000 refugees admitted under President Biden in FY 2024, reflecting a dramatic shift in US refugee policy.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.