WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 19th September, 2018) The ceiling of 30,000 refugees permitted to enter the United States in fiscal year 2019 announced on Monday was only a proposal and after consultations with Congress that figure may change, US Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a briefing on Tuesday.
"[The] State Department will have consultations with Congress, the number of refugee ceiling may change," Nauert told reporters.
On Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the 30,000 per year cap for fiscal year 2019. The figure represented a one third cut in the 45,000 permitted to enter the United States this year.
The reduced numbers have been widely condemned by human rights groups, but Nauert defended the decision.
"Refugees would rather prefer to go home than being send to refugee camps," Nauert said.
The United States continues to be the most generous nation on the planet, Nauert added.
