WASHINGTON — A U.S. official says the United States will welcome up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine as 3.5 million flee Russia’s invasion.
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement later Thursday.
The White House has been saying for weeks that the U.S. would accept refugees from Ukraine, but officials had expected most would want to remain in Europe to stay close to their homeland or to family members around Eastern Europe.
Refugee agencies had urged the Biden administration to do more, saying the U.S. could expedite the entry of Ukrainians who had already been in the process of applying to enter the United States through the country’s refugee program or expanding the total number of Ukrainians who could come into the country under the cap that the administration sets in consultation with Congress.
Previously, the Biden administration set the refugee cap for budget year 2022 at 125,000 after it had been cut to a record low of 15,000 under former President Donald Trump.
-
'Kids over guns': Indy students walk out to protest gun violence
Indy students joined the National School Walkout Friday at the Statehouse, protesting gun violence with hundreds nationwide and demanding legislative action.Families with ALS face greater need as association loses state funding
4,000 Hoosiers have ALS, a fatal disease-causing loss of mobility and speech. Walk to Defeat ALS is Sept. 20 at the State Fairgrounds to raise funds after lawmakers cut $1M annual funding.IMPD releases video showing officer shoot armed double murder suspect
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has released critical incident bodycam video showing an officer shooting an armed suspect following a deadly shooting that left two men dead.Indiana National Guard mobilizing 50 troops to support ICE operations
The Indiana National Guard will mobilize approximately 50 Hoosier Guardsmen to provide administrative, transportation and logistics support to ICE across the state, according to a spokesperson.