White House to increase number of refugees to 110k in 2017

Secretary of State John Kerry briefed Congress on Tuesday about the administration’s decision and has stated over the past year that the United States would seek to welcome 100,000 refugees in 2017 — and if possible, would accept more.

The increase — from 70,000 during 2013-2015 to 85,000 in 2016 to the plan of 110,000 in 2017 — is more than a 57% increase in refugee arrivals since 2015 and consistent with the administration’s belief that all countries should do more to help vulnerable people.

The United States’ refugee policy has been a top campaign issue in the 2016 election. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made waves last December when he proposed a temporary ban on all Muslims immigrating to the United States.

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Image courtesy of Reuters