US to Accept 110,000 Refugees Next Year – White House

Washington, 13 Dzulhijjah 1437/15 September 2016 (MINA) — The US announced that it will accept 110,000 refugees over its next fiscal year beginning October 1, a 29-percent increase compared to the 85,000 allowed this year.

The US has “regional targets” that it wants to accept refugees from but not specific countries, Kuna quoted White House Spokesperson Josh Earnest as telling reporters Wednesday.

For the Near East and South Asia region, the regional target number is 40,000, he revealed.

The spokesperson reiterated that the refugees that are accepted will “undergo more rigorous screening and vetting than any other individual that enters the United States”.

The White House has tried to emphasize that the refugee program is safe and doesn’t pose a major threat to national security.

That concern was heightened last year after terrorist attacks in European cities, including some connected to people who had spent time in Syria. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)