Number of refugees entering US drops by half under Trump

The number of refugees coming into the U.S. was cut nearly in half in the first three months of the Trump administration compared to the final months of the Obama administration, according to data released Friday.

Data released by the Department of Homeland Security showed 13,000 refugees entering the U.S. during the first three months of Trump’s presidency, compared to the 25,000 admitted at the end of the Obama administration.

The number of refugees admitted in the final months before President Trump entered office was a major increase – up 86 percent – compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, the number of arrivals admitted in the initial months of the Trump administration was down 12 percent compared to the same period last year.

{mosads}

The nationalities of refugees entering the U.S. during both administrations did not change. Two thirds of refugees came from Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Myanmar the Dominican Republic and the Congo.

The number of arrivals coming from Syria and Somalia would have been much lower if federal courts allowed Trump’s proposed travel ban.

Trump has pushed to take a hardline stance on allowing refugees into the U.S. The president is looking to limit the number of refugees coming into the U.S. to 50,000 in 2017.