World Relief Grieves Another Restrictive Refugee Ceiling, Urges Reopening of Resettlement Program to Those Fleeing Religious Persecution

FY 2027 Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions again excludes refugees in greatest need, including persecuted Christians 

Contact: Lauren Rasmussen, media@wr.org, 802.310.4255

BALTIMORE, Md. – Today, the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2027 was posted to the Federal Register, confirming early reports of another restrictive refugee ceiling that names only one population as a priority for resettlement, from just one country. In line with the adjusted ceiling for Fiscal Year 2026 set in May 2026, this year’s ceiling provides slots for 17,500 Afrikaners from South Africa whom the administration characterizes as victims of “unjust racial discrimination.” World Relief decries yet another refugee ceiling that closes the door on refugees who meet the traditional, international legal definition of a refugee – those outside of their country of origin who have a well-founded fear of persecution – and urges the administration to issue a revision and honor its previous commitments to protecting those persecuted on account of their religion. 

“At a time when displacement and persecution are at historically high levels around the world, the U.S. continues to turn its back on those in the greatest need,” commented Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief. “Despite repeated promises to protect religious liberties at home and abroad, President Trump has reneged on his word – and his own precedent. Now, more than ever, the U.S. has abdicated its role and true global leadership by slamming shut the ‘golden door’ that has represented the promise of safety and freedom for centuries.” 

As laid out by the Refugee Act of 1980, the president has the responsibility of setting the annual ceiling for refugee resettlement for the coming fiscal year, announced after consulting with Congressional leaders. The last two years have departed from legal and historical precedent by effectively shutting the door on refugees who meet the international legal standard for refugees. 

“We are extremely disappointed that, for another year, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is shut off to the vast majority of the world’s refugees,” commented Aerlande Wontamo, senior vice president of U.S. programs at World Relief. “A year and a half ago, thousands of extensively vetted refugees around the world were told the door to freedom had closed for them. At a time when global persecution is increasing and workers are in demand in key sectors of the U.S. economy, continuing to wedge the door shut is baffling.” 

While the resettlement program might be closed to persecuted refugees, persecution around the world has not diminished. In September, World Relief and Open Doors US released a report highlighting that even though 388 million Christians around the world face high levels of discrimination or persecution on account of their faith, zero were resettled from the top countries designated by Open Doors’ World Watch List as the top perpetrators of persecution through August of this year.  

Later in September, nearly 3,500 Christians added their names to a letter urging President Trump to again prioritize refugees who had fled religious persecution for resettlement in the U.S. – something he did in his first term but has not done in his second term  

“For years, Americans across the aisle have taken great pride in offering haven to those fleeing the worst circumstances, and as Christians, refugee resettlement is an extension of our calling to welcome and serve the vulnerable,” added Matthew Soerens, vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief. “This Presidential Determination is a repudiation of those values.” 

To learn more about World Relief, visit worldrelief.org.