US to Accept 20,000 Refugees from American Countries Over Two Years

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The Biden administration in the United States has decided to accept 20,000 refugees from Central and South American countries over the next two years as part of efforts to address migration issues within the Americas. The issuance of non-agricultural temporary work visas will also be expanded.

On the 10th (local time), the White House released a report on the discussions held with various countries ahead of the adoption of the "LA Declaration on Migration and Protection" at the Summit of the Americas.

On the final day of the Summit of the Americas, President Biden is expected to adopt the LA Declaration in Los Angeles with attending leaders, which includes ▲ community stability and support ▲ expansion of legal migration pathways ▲ humane migration management ▲ coordinated crisis response.

According to the discussion report, regarding the expansion of legal migration pathways, the United States will accept 20,000 refugees from countries in the Americas during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. This figure is three times higher than this year. The White House explained that this "demonstrates the Biden administration's strong commitment to refugee acceptance."

Additionally, the United States will resume a program that grants temporary stay permits to families of U.S. citizens and permanent residents from Haiti and Cuba, allowing them to reunite with their families in their home countries. A pilot program will also be developed to support farmers employing agricultural workers under the Agricultural Worker Visa (H-2A) program. Along with this, 11,500 non-agricultural temporary work visas (H-2B) will be issued to nationals from Northern Central American countries and Haiti this year.

Besides the United States, Canada has also agreed to accept 4,000 refugees from American countries by 2028. By next year, Canada plans to invest $26.9 million (approximately 34.4 billion KRW) in American countries to address the root causes of illegal immigration.