The United States has a rich history of providing refuge to people seeking protection from across the world. While this American tradition of welcoming persecuted people goes back hundreds of years with repeated waves of immigration, the formalization of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program only came into effect with the1980 Refugee Act. 

Since then, presidents have set an annual admissions target to establish a refugee admissions goal for the country for the following fiscal year.

On October 30, 2025, the Trump administration announced a refugee cap of 7,500 for fiscal year 2026—the lowest admissions target on record.

Here’s an overview of how the refugee cap functions and why it matters.

What is the refugee cap?

In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, a significant refugee crisis emerged as hundreds of thousands fled political turmoil and violence in Southeast Asia. In response, members of Congress united to draft the Refugee Act of 1980, a landmark bill that established a formal process for refugee resettlement in the United States. The legislation garnered near-unanimous bipartisan support and was promptly signed into law by President Jimmy Carter, codifying obligations the U.S. agreed to when it ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol that had been drafted in the wake of the horrors of World War II.

The Refugee Act represented a substantial transformation in the U.S. approach to refugee admissions. It established the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), defined the legal status of a refugee, and created the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Additionally, it introduced an annual refugee ceiling, or refugee cap, setting a limit on the number of refugees admitted into the U.S. each fiscal year.

However, this refugee ceiling does not always correlate with the actual number of refugees resettled in any given year. Instead, it serves more as a target and helps guide the allocation of federal resources dedicated to refugee resettlement.

Who sets the refugee cap?

The refugee cap is established every year by a Presidential Determination. By law it should be issued by the end of September, which marks the end of the federal fiscal year. Before the cap is set, the administration reviews the refugee situation worldwide and is required by law to consult with Congress on its proposed admissions target and regional allocations.

Refugees cannot be resettled in the U.S. until the President's determination for the fiscal year has been signed.

Trump administration sets record-low refugee cap, prioritizing Afrikaners

On October 30, 2025, the Trump administration announced the refugee cap for fiscal year 2026 at just 7,500—the lowest in U.S. history. For context, the U.S. averaged a refugee cap of more than 92,000 from 1980 to 2025, and the refugee cap for fiscal year 2025 was set at 125,000.

The 2026 cap of 7,500 refugees halves the previous record low of 15,000, set by the first Trump administration. According to the White House, the 7,500 refugee resettlement slots will be “primarily” allocated to Afrikaners from South Africa. 

This decision follows the administration’s order to suspend refugee admissions and the implementation of the June 4th travel ban, which bars entry to the U.S. from several countries that refugees come from. Despite issuing the annual determination on refugees, the resettlement suspension and travel ban remain in place, meaning that most refugees will require case-by-case special exemptions to be resettled.

The IRC has urged the administration to reassess and reconsider this decision, particularly in light of record levels of global displacement that have forced over 42 million refugees from their homes by conflict and persecution. We are concerned that the 2026 refugee cap will leave families separated, vulnerable individuals stranded, and is insufficient to address the urgent needs of more than 100,000 previously vetted and approved refugees who have been waiting in line.

How have the refugee cap and refugee resettlement changed over time?

The refugee cap has varied over time in response to shifting global contexts and domestic priorities. Although the number of admitted refugees has generally approached the set limit, there have been notable exceptions. For instance, following the September 11th terrorist attacks, the Bush administration temporarily halted refugee resettlement, citing national security concerns.

From 2016 to 2020, the Trump administration set what were then historic lows for refugee admission targets, greatly reducing the resources and capacity of the USRAP. When President Biden assumed office in 2021, he inherited a USRAP that had been decimated and would take years to rebuild, strengthen and improve. 

The 2026 refugee cap marks a return to record-low admissions targets and will have a lasting impact on the USRAP—a program long regarded as a symbol of American humanity, leadership and founding principles.

Why does the refugee cap matter?

The refugee cap represents far more than just a number; it serves as a public affirmation of the United States' commitment to supporting refugees globally. Each presidential administration, when determining this ceiling, is signaling its solidarity with low- and middle-income countries like Turkey, Pakistan, and Colombia, which host 75% of the world’s refugees.

By the end of 2024, more than 120 million people, including refugees, internally displaced persons and asylum seekers, have been forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and natural disasters. In the context of this unprecedented humanitarian crisis, it’s more important than ever that the U.S. continues its long tradition of providing a safe refuge to the world’s most vulnerable.

How can I help refugees?

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps refugees rebuild their lives through 28 offices across 17 states. We provide essentials like housing, job support, English classes, and cultural orientation—everything families need to get started. With help from staff, volunteers, and local communities, the IRC gives newcomers the tools to thrive and build a future in the United States.

We invite you to be part of this effort: You can support refugees by donating, volunteering at a local IRC office, advocating for welcoming policies, or simply helping newcomers feel at home in your community. Every act of kindness makes a difference and helps families rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

More from the IRC

The International Rescue Committee has over 90 years of experience helping people affected by crisis in more than 40 countries to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. We also help refugees and displaced people resettle and integrate into new communities in the U.S. and across Europe. 

Specifically, in the United States, the IRC provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants to thrive in America. We help rebuild lives through economic empowerment, education and youth services, temporary financial assistance, employment services, workforce development, interpretation services, cultural orientation, school registration, and other related support.

Our ratings: We consistently earn top marks from charity watchdog groups for our efficient use of donor contributions and the effectiveness of our work.

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