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DetDeterminationObama · D Quiet signal

Presidential Determination

Fiscal Year 2011 Refugee Admissions Numbers and Authorizations of In-Country Refugee Status Pursuant to Sections 207 and 101(a)(42), Respectively, of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and Determination Pursuant to Section 2(b)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, as Amended

This presidential determination sets the FY 2011 refugee admissions ceiling at 80,000, with specific regional allocations, and authorizes in-country refugee processing for persons in Cuba, the former Soviet Union, Iraq, and in exceptional circumstances at any U.S. Embassy. It also determines that assistance to overseas refugee applicants serves U.S. foreign policy interests under the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 75851

Impact dates

  1. FY 2011 refugee admissions ceiling expires

  2. Determination effective; Secretary of State directed to report to Congress immediately

Key directives

  • Set FY 2011 refugee admissions ceiling at 80,000
  • Allocate admissions across six regional categories including 3,000 unallocated reserve
  • Authorize Secretary of State to allocate unallocated numbers upon notification to congressional Judiciary Committees
  • Authorize Secretary of State to transfer unused regional admissions to other regions upon notification to Judiciary Committees
  • Determine that assistance to overseas refugee applicants serves U.S. foreign policy interests
  • Designate in-country refugee processing eligibility for persons in Cuba, former Soviet Union, Iraq, and exceptional circumstances at any U.S. Embassy
  • Direct Secretary of State to report determination to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Determination takes effect for FY 2011 (October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2011)
  • Secretary of State directed to report to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Refugee admissions begin under new regional ceilings
  • Potential allocation of 3,000 unallocated reserve numbers as needs arise

Long term

  • Annual refugee admissions policy framework continues
  • Potential shifts in regional allocations based on humanitarian needs

Risks & tensions

  • Regional allocations may not match emerging humanitarian crises, requiring politically sensitive transfers
  • In-country processing for Iraq and Cuba carries diplomatic sensitivities
  • 3,000 unallocated reserve is small relative to potential global displacement needs
  • Notification requirement to Judiciary Committees creates procedural checkpoint but not substantive veto
Presidential Determination: Fiscal Year 2011 Refugee Admissions Numbers and Authorizations of In-Country Refugee Status Pursuant to Sections 207 and 101(a)(42), Respectively, of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and Determination Pursuant to Section 2(b)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, as Amended · Executive Orders