Explainer-Why isn’t the U.S. accepting more Ukrainian refugees?

News reports of the plight of Ukrainian refugees after the Russian invasion.   According to United Nations data, roughly three million refugees have fled Ukraine since February 22.

Ted Hesson for Reuters looks at whether the United States might admit Ukrainians.   “[T]he United States has only admitted several hundred Ukrainian refugees so far, leaving some critics questioning U.S. government policy. . . . U.S. President Joe Biden and his top officials have said the United States stands ready to accept refugees if needed, but the administration has repeatedly signaled that Europe should be the primary destination for Ukrainians.”

The resettlement of Afghan refugees in the United States after the fall of Afghanistan in August has not been smooth.  Time will tell whether Ukrainians will be treated differently.

 KJ