The Easing of Material Support

In January, the US Congress passed the 2008 Appropriations Act (HR 2764) that explicitly authorized the waivers for those groups identified to have given material support under duress. The waivers, issued by the Department of Homeland Security and State Department exempt certain individuals or groups from the material support bar since 2006. For a list of the history of these waivers, see Migration Policy Institute. The list excludes Colombian refugees known to have given material support to the FARC.

For the past five year, the ceiling for admitting refugees in the US has been 70,0000 per year. In 2006, 10,0000 spots were NOT allocated. Perhaps an easing of the material support clause will increase this number.