US to admit 70,000 refugees next year

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush has authorised the admission of 70,000 refugees into the United States in fiscal 2006, the same ceiling that was set the previous year, the White House said.

The actual number of refugees admitted in fiscal 2005 which ended September 30 was 53,813, which was below the authorized ceiling because of funding restraints, an administration official said.

Bush issued a memorandum to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that authorized the admission of 20,000 refugees from Africa, 15,000 from East Asia, 15,000 from Europe and Central Asia, 5,000 from Latin America/Caribbean, 5,000 from Near East/South Asia and 10,000 unallocated.

Refugee status is generally given to individuals escaping political persecution, the official said.

- REUTERS