Aid Group Director Concerned Over U.S. Refugee Reduction Announcement

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 - 12:20pm
Updated: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 - 1:27pm
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On Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a new, much lower ceiling on the number of refugees that the United States will accept.

Pompeo says the current system is overtaxed, with 800,000 pending asylum cases that need the administration’s attention.

Pompeo spoke to reporters — saying the new number of refugees will now be capped at no more than 30,000 in 2019. That’s a steep cut from the 45,000 that were allowed in this year, and it’s the lowest since the Refugee Act was created in 1980.

Aaron Rippenkroeger, executive director of the International Rescue Committee, which aids refugees, joined The Show to share his concerns.

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