The Trump administration is considering a drastic reduction in the number of refugees allowed to enter the United States.

"We urge you to protect this vital program and ensure that the refugee admissions goal is robust, in line with a decades-long precedent and in line with the urgent global needs of today." 39; hui, "wrote the military official, including Admiral William H. McRaven, former commander of US special operations; General Martin E. Dempsey, former Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee; and Lieutenant-General Mark P. Hertling, former general commanding the armed forces in Europe.

They said that even the current ceiling of 30,000 "leaves thousands of people at risk".

General Joseph L. Votel, who retired this year after overseeing the command of the US military who directs operations in the Middle East, also signed the letter. In an interview, he noted that refugee flows leaving war-torn countries, such as Syria, were one of the drivers of instability in the region.

"We do not do anything alone," General Votel said of US military operations abroad, which are routinely aided by Iraqi nationals who become persecuted refugees. "It's not just the price we pay, but an obligation."

Mr. Mattis made the same arguments in private in 2018 and 2019, as he tried to thwart Mr. Miller's efforts to reduce the refugee ceiling, which had already been reduced to 50,000 by the Prohibition Order. to travel from Mr. Trump.

Joined the then Secretary of State, Rex W. Tillerson, and the then United Nations Ambassador Nikki R. Haley, Mr. Mattis managed to maintain the ceiling at 45,000 for 2018. The following year, Mr. Miller tried to persuade Mr. Mattis to support a lower number by promising to ensure that the program for Iraqis and Afghans is not affected. But Mr. Mattis refused and insisted that the program retain 45,000 refugees. But with Mr. Tillerson gone, Miller managed to convince the president to reduce the cap to 30,000.

In his announcement last year, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that "due to the recent increase in the number of asylum seekers on the southern border," he said. west, the United States had less need to accept refugees from abroad.

"This year's refugee ceiling reflects the substantial increase in the number of asylum seekers in our country, resulting in a considerable delay in processing pending asylum claims and increasing public spending," he said. said Mr. Pompeo at the time.