Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs

President Biden authorized up to $1.2 billion from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to support Operation Allies Welcome and related efforts for Afghan evacuees at risk following the 2021 withdrawal. The determination directs the Secretary of State to submit it to Congress with accompanying justification and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 87 FR 6759

Impact dates

Feb 1, 2022
Submission to Congress with accompanying Justification
Feb 1, 2022
Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

Authorize up to $1.2 billion from U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for unexpected urgent refugee and migration needs
Support Operation Allies Welcome and related State Department efforts
Fund additional relocations of individuals at risk due to situation in Afghanistan
Provide assistance bilaterally or multilaterally including through international organizations, NGOs, governments, and US agencies
Submit determination to Congress with accompanying Justification
Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Authorization of up to $1.2 billion in refugee assistance funds
Submission to Congress and Federal Register publication directed

Near term (90d)

Bilateral and multilateral disbursement of funds for relocation and support operations

Long term

Continued support for Afghan evacuees and related migration needs

Risks & tensions

Large discretionary allocation without specific congressional appropriation process
Vague scope of 'related efforts' and 'related expenses' could enable broad spending
No explicit deadline for obligation or expenditure of funds