US sets fiscal 2027 refugee ceiling at 17,500, primarily for Afrikaners

The United States will admit no more than 17,500 refugees in fiscal 2027, under a presidential determination filed Thursday.

Admissions will be allocated primarily to Afrikaners from South Africa. The document also permits otherwise qualified applicants processed under the relevant executive order to be considered refugees while still inside their country of nationality or habitual residence.

The ceiling is not a guarantee.

Admissions remain subject to prior presidential actions requiring stringent identity checks and generally suspending refugee entry unless the secretaries of State and Homeland Security jointly determine that an admission serves the national interest and does not threaten security or welfare.