Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2025

This determination sets the annual refugee admissions ceiling at 125,000 for Fiscal Year 2025, with regional allocation ranges across five global regions. It also designates specific in-country populations (Cuba, Eurasia/Baltics, Iraq, El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras, and certain embassy-referred persons) as eligible for refugee consideration under section 101(a)(42) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 83767

Impact dates

Oct 1, 2024
FY 2025 refugee admissions program begins

Key directives

Set FY 2025 refugee admissions ceiling at 125,000
Allocate admissions across five regional ranges with flexibility
Authorize Secretary of State to transfer unused regional allocations to other regions after notifying Congressional Judiciary Committees
Designate in-country populations in Cuba, Eurasia/Baltics, Iraq, El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras, and certain embassy-referred persons as eligible for refugee consideration
Direct publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

FY 2025 refugee admissions ceiling of 125,000 takes effect October 1, 2024
Regional allocations and in-country refugee designations become operative

Near term (90d)

State Department to implement regional allocation framework
Potential transfers of unused regional allocations upon Congressional notification

Long term

Full FY 2025 refugee admissions program through September 30, 2025
Ongoing in-country processing for designated populations

Risks & tensions

Regional allocation ranges allow flexibility but may create implementation uncertainty for resettlement agencies
125,000 ceiling matches prior year level; tension between humanitarian goals and political constraints on refugee admissions
In-country processing designations for Latin America may overlap with other migration pathways, creating coordination challenges