Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs

President Biden authorized up to $100 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to address urgent refugee and migration needs arising from the situation in Afghanistan, including Special Immigrant Visa applicants. The determination supersedes an earlier June 2021 determination and directs the Secretary of State to submit it to Congress with accompanying justification and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 40915

Key directives

Authorize up to $100 million from Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for Afghan refugee and migration needs
Provide assistance bilaterally or multilaterally including through international organizations, NGOs, governments, and U.S. departments and agencies
Submit determination to Congress with accompanying Justification
Publish determination in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

$100 million authorized for refugee and migration assistance
Supersedes Presidential Determination 2021-08

Near term (90d)

Funds may be disbursed bilaterally or multilaterally through international organizations, NGOs, governments, and U.S. agencies

Long term

Support for Afghan refugee resettlement and migration needs

Risks & tensions

Supersedes prior determination from June 2021, suggesting escalating needs or revised assessment
Timing in July 2021 preceded August 2021 Kabul withdrawal; funds positioned for imminent crisis but scale proved insufficient
Vague on specific allocation mechanisms or accountability measures for fund distribution