Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

US says refugee numbers not final

The Turnbull government's refusal to reveal whether the United States will limit its intake of refugees from Nauru has the opposition on high alert.

The United States doesn't have a figure on how many refugees it will take from Nauru and Manus Island amid speculation it could limit its intake under a resettlement deal with Canberra.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has refused to confirm exact numbers, but is adamant reports the US will only accept between 300 and 400 individuals from family groups are false.

The US embassy in Canberra says the process is still ongoing.

"The United States will determine the number of refugees to be included in the program in consultation with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the government of Australia," a spokeswoman told AAP.

"We have not yet finalised that number."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

US officials from the Department of Homeland Security will assess and conduct extra checks on refugees on Sunday and Monday.

Labor is concerned about the lack of details.

"We certainly hope for the people who are on Manus Island and Nauru that a third party resettlement option is available to all of them because they have been waiting much too long," deputy leader Tanya Plibersek told reporters in Canberra.

Mr Dutton has flagged concerns confirming exact numbers may lead to fresh boat arrivals, but says he doesn't want people to "conjure up in their minds" the deal is limited by the reported numbers.

Those people who refused to accept the refugee deal would only have a 20-year visa on Nauru and would have their government assistance cut off.

"If you don't accept the United States of America as an outcome then frankly you're not genuine," he said.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world