ExecutiveOrdersEO
Det 98-39DeterminationClinton · D

Presidential Determination 98-39

Emergency Presidential Determination on Additional FY 99 Refugee Admissions Numbers Pursuant to Section 207(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act

President Clinton issued an emergency determination under the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the FY 1999 refugee admissions ceiling from 78,000 to 91,000 due to the Kosovo crisis, with Europe's regional allocation rising to 61,000. The determination supersedes portions of the prior annual refugee admission determination (PD 98-39) and directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress and publish in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 64 FR 47341

Impact dates

  1. End of Fiscal Year 1999 — revised refugee ceiling expires

  2. Report determination to Congress immediately

  3. Publish determination in the Federal Register

Key directives

  • Increase worldwide refugee admissions ceiling from 78,000 to 91,000 for FY 1999
  • Set revised regional allocations with Europe at 61,000
  • Supersede provisions of Presidential Determination 98-39 to the extent inconsistent
  • Report determination to Congress immediately
  • Publish determination in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Emergency determination takes effect upon signature
  • Secretary of State directed to report to Congress immediately
  • Secretary of State directed to publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Refugee admissions under revised ceiling proceed for remainder of FY 1999 (through September 30, 1999)

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Fast-tracked emergency process may strain resettlement infrastructure
  • Massive Europe allocation (61,000) heavily concentrates admissions on Kosovar refugees, potentially diverting resources from other regions
  • Immediate reporting/publication requirement suggests urgency that may limit congressional scrutiny
Presidential Determination 98-39: Emergency Presidential Determination on Additional FY 99 Refugee Admissions Numbers Pursuant to Section 207(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act · Executive Orders