How Many Refugees Arrive in the U.S.?

Each fiscal year, a presidential determination sets a ceiling for the number of refugees to be admitted into the United States. The number of actual admissions does not always match the ceiling set. A chart from the Migration Policy Institute shows the annual ceiling and the number of refugees admitted since the enactment of the Refugee Act of 1980. Ceilings have ranged from a high of 231,700 in 1980 and a low of 18,000 in 2020. Admissions have ranged from a high of 207,116 in 1980 and a low of 22,491 in 2018.

The Refugee Processing Center created the Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing Center (WRAPS) which provides up to date information on refugee arrivals nationwide. Detailed reports can be accessed on the Refugee Processing Center Admissions and Arrivals page.

Migration Policy Institute Chart