The United States is launching a new program to facilitate the reception of refugees. It allows those who wish to sponsor people who are not necessarily part of the immediate family circle.
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RFI: Loubna Anaki, should this new measure facilitate the procedure for many people who have been fighting for years to bring in relatives or friends?
Loubna Anaki: That’s exactly it. Previously, only accredited organizations or UN agencies could propose and support applications from people fleeing countries at war or dangerous living conditions. But over the past year, the Biden administration has launched a program called the Welcome Corps, which allows any group of citizens to sponsor the reception of refugees, as long as they meet certain criteria. In this specific case, sponsors could fill out a form to specify whether they wanted to help a single person, a family, etc. Then, they were assigned people they did not necessarily know in Africa, Asia or South America. .
For two weeks, this program has therefore been expanded. And now, indeed, sponsors can choose who they want to bring to the United States: a niece, an uncle, a distant cousin or even a former neighbor or a friend… Which was not at all possible before, whereas family reunifications were limited to direct family: children or parents.
Is the procedure easy?
In any case, this is the stated ambition of the Biden administration, which wishes to welcome up to 125,000 refugees in 2024. To be able to sponsor someone, the person must show that they have at least $2,400. per refugee. It must also meet security criteria.
This program should allow American citizens or permanent residents to bring in loved ones they have been trying to help for years and who are particularly stuck in refugee camps in countries at war such as Sudan, Somalia orAfghanistan. The sponsors then have the responsibility of helping the people welcomed to find housing, a job, or school or university registration for the youngest… In short, helping them build a new life in the United States.
Increasing the number of refugees welcomed was a promise from Joe Biden ?
Yes, and so far, the number of refugees admitted each year has remained well below the targets initially promised by Joe Biden, who is currently campaigning for a second term. You should also know that the Republicans, on the contrary, want more restrictions on the number of migrants and refugees admitted to the country. And Donald Trumpalso a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, promised to drastically reduce the number of refugees, just as he did when he was president.