Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as Amended

This determination authorizes up to $15 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for contingency planning and potential refugee needs in the event of military action against Iraq. It directs the Secretary of State to notify Congress and publish the determination in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 5785

Key directives

Authorize up to $15 million from U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for unexpected urgent refugee and migration needs in potential Middle East humanitarian emergency
Direct Secretary of State to inform appropriate congressional committees of determination and obligation of funds
Arrange for publication of memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Authorization of $15 million from Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund
Secretary of State to notify congressional committees
Publication in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

Contingency planning by State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Potential fund disbursement to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations if humanitarian emergency arises

Long term

Preparedness for refugee flows from potential Iraq conflict

Risks & tensions

Document explicitly links refugee contingency planning to potential military action against Iraq, creating tension between humanitarian and military objectives
$15 million may be insufficient for large-scale refugee crisis; amount appears precautionary rather than comprehensive
Vague trigger ('in the event of') means funds sit in contingency without immediate deployment timeline