The United States will admit up to 17,500 RefugeeA person outside their country of nationality who cannot return because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion (INA 101(a)(42)). Admission as a refugee is discretionary, and annual admission levels are set through a Presidential Determination. A person already in the United States or at a port of entry with a similar claim may instead seek asylum.See it in the glossary in fiscal year 2027, according to a presidential determination published in the Federal RegisterThe daily journal of the U.S. government where proposed and final rules, notices and executive orders are published.See it in the glossary on Oct. 2. The determination says admissions shall be allocated primarily among Afrikaners from South Africa under Executive orderA directive from the President to federal agencies and officials about how to run the executive branch and carry out the law. Executive orders are numbered and published in the Federal Register, and they generally bind the executive branch.See it in the glossary 14204.
What the determination says
Presidential Determination No. 2026-24, dated Sept. 25, finds the admissions are justified by humanitarian concerns or are otherwise in the national interest. Admissions may reach but not exceed the limit, and remain subject to other presidential policies and actions. The memorandum is addressed to the Secretaries of State, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services, and is listed in the AILA library.
How it compares with fiscal 2026
The cap for fiscal 2026 started at 7,500. In May, an emergency determination raised it to 17,500, with the added admissions allocated to Afrikaners from South Africa. The new figure matches that raised level.
Refugee status basics
The ceiling is the annual limit on refugee admissions. It is separate from AsylumProtection granted to a person already in the United States or at a port of entry who meets the definition of a refugee and cannot safely return to their country.See it in the glossary, which is decided for people already in the United States or at the border. Our guide to asylum versus refugee status explains the difference, and the refugee and asylee green card entry covers what can follow admission. See also the glossary definition of refugee.