Joe Biden keeps promise to raise refugee admissions to 125,000

President Joe Biden raised the refugee admissions cap from 62,500 in fiscal year 2021 to 125,000 for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 through the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions, which is in line with his campaign promise.

On World Refugee Day, June 20, Biden reiterated his commitment to welcome 125,000 refugees, "a level not achieved in three decades."

"Welcoming refugees is part of who we are as Americans — our nation was founded by those fleeing religious persecution," Biden said.

Nevertheless, raising the admissions cap does not necessarily mean that 125,000 refugees will enter the country this fiscal year. Seeking — and receiving — refugee status is a difficult process that can take years. As of June 30, 2023, 38,653 refugees had been admitted into the country for the fiscal year, according to the Refugee Processing Center, which operates within the State Department. The fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

In 2022, 25,465 refugees were admitted, although the cap was also 125,000.

PolitiFact will continue monitoring this promise to see whether 125,000 refugees are admitted in a single year during Biden's presidency. But given the change in the official cap, we rate this Promise Kept.