Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs

President Biden authorized up to $50.3 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to address unexpected urgent refugee and migration needs in the Western Hemisphere, channeled through the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and international organizations. The Secretary of State is directed to submit the determination and justification to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 88 FR 29809

Impact dates

May 8, 2023
Federal Register filing date (published as filed 5-8-23)

Key directives

Authorize up to $50.3 million from U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for Western Hemisphere refugee and migration needs
Direct Secretary of State to submit determination and accompanying Justification to Congress
Direct Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

$50.3 million authorized for refugee and migration assistance
Secretary of State directed to submit to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

Fund disbursement through Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration to international organizations

Long term

Sustained refugee and migration support in Western Hemisphere depending on needs and follow-on funding

Risks & tensions

Vague geographic scope ('Western Hemisphere') and unspecified recipient organizations
No explicit deadline for fund obligation or expenditure, creating uncertainty on implementation speed
Relatively modest amount ($50.3M) suggests targeted rather than systemic response