Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2026

This determination sets the fiscal year 2026 refugee admissions ceiling at 7,500, the lowest in modern U.S. history, with primary allocation directed toward Afrikaners from South Africa under Executive Order 14204 and other victims of discrimination. It subjects all refugee admissions to stringent existing executive orders requiring enhanced vetting, joint secretary-level national interest determinations, and broad entry restrictions.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 49005

Impact dates

Sep 30, 2026In 41d
FY2026 refugee admissions ceiling expires
Oct 1, 2025
FY2026 refugee admissions ceiling takes effect

Key directives

Set FY2026 refugee admissions ceiling at 7,500
Allocate admissions primarily to Afrikaners from South Africa per EO 14204 and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination
Subject all admissions to requirements of EO 14161 (stringent identification verification), EO 14163 (joint secretary national interest determination), EO 14204 (Afrikaner resettlement), and Proclamation 10949 (national interest entry restrictions)
Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

7,500 refugee ceiling takes effect for FY2026 beginning October 1, 2025
existing EO 14163 suspension of refugee entry remains operative except for joint secretary determinations

Near term (90d)

State Department must allocate admissions primarily to Afrikaners and other discrimination victims
refugee processing subject to most stringent identification verification per EO 14161

Long term

FY2026 ceiling constrains refugee admissions through September 30, 2026
potential structural reduction in U.S. refugee resettlement infrastructure due to sustained low ceilings

Risks & tensions

Extremely low 7,500 ceiling risks collapse of refugee resettlement infrastructure built around higher historical volumes
Priority for Afrikaners from South Africa represents unusual geographic and ethnic targeting, potentially generating diplomatic friction
Layered executive order constraints (EO 14163's effective suspension, EO 14161's enhanced vetting) may reduce actual admissions well below nominal ceiling
Vague 'other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination' category lacks definitional clarity, creating implementation uncertainty
Potential tension with international refugee law obligations and allied expectations of U.S. burden-sharing