State Department Proposes Cut In Number Of Refugees Accepted Into U.S.

The US State Department proposed to Congress a reduction in refugee admissions to 18,000 for fiscal year 2020, down from 30,000. The proposal aims to prioritize religiously persecuted individuals, Iraqis, and legitimate refugees from northern triangle countries, amidst a backlog of over a million asylum cases. The National Immigration Forum criticized the low cap, warning it could undermine the US refugee resettlement program. The proposal is part of broader efforts to reduce immigration and awaits Congress's review before reaching President Trump's desk.

How does the executive director of the National Immigration Forum respond to the proposed cap on refugee admissions?

What is the significance of the proposal being sent to Congress?