US plans to increase refugee intake next year
Updated: 2015-09-10 09:14
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
WASHINGTON - The United States plans to raise the number of refugees it takes in by 5,000 next year to 75,000, including an unspecified number from Syria, senior US officials said on Wednesday, and congressional aides said the total may go significantly higher.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking to reporters at the Capitol, said Washington was "committed to" taking in more Syrian refugees fleeing war in their country.
A senior State Department official, speaking on a conference call with reporters later, said the United States had taken in about 70,000 refugees a year over the past three years and was planning on "some sort of a modest increase" next year.
Several US officials confirmed that Kerry told lawmakers that the government was planning on taking in an additional 5,000 refugees next year.
Congressional aides said administration officials had indicated that number could go significantly higher.
Related Stories
Backgrounder: Refugee crisis in Europe 2015-09-09 21:01
US has unshirkable role in addressing refugee crisis 2015-09-09 08:16
US, EU must jointly resolve Middle East refugee crisis 2015-09-08 13:18
Western countries urge more US response on refugee crisis 2015-09-07 15:15
Refugee crisis is bitter fruit of West's policy: Opinion 2015-09-07 07:52
Lesson to be learned from EU's refugee influx 2015-09-06 15:11
Today's Top News
China's consumer prices up 2% in August
Inside look at new products launched by Apple
Hungarian TV journalist fired for tripping up fleeing migrants
Queen Elizabeth 'never aspired' to become UK's longest-reigning monarch
Rolls-Royce aims to widen appeal with new convertible
'FX forwards measure is not capital control'
Queen Elizabeth II surpasses Queen Victoria's long reign
China aims to be first to land on far side of moon
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
All eyes on China's military power |
Rural families still hope for male heirs |
Blue skies over Beijing ... for now |
V-Day parade for 70th WWII anniversary |
Tianjin blasts: Death, damage and bravery |
NE China: From powerhouse to poor relation |