U.S. Taking 50 Refugees From Offshore Camps, Australia Says
In a video shared on social media, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull thanked President Trump for honoring a deal reached by the Obama administration, which Mr. Trump had criticized,
in which the United States agreed to accept hundreds of refugees from the centers, one on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea and one on Nauru, an island nation to the east.
and Nauru who’ve been found not to be refugees should return to their country of origin." The potential closure of the Manus processing center would not affect the eligibility of those referred by the United Nations refugee agency for resettlement consideration,
and others are expected to be resettled in the coming months, the State Department official said.
20, 2017
SYDNEY, Australia — The first group of refugees from Australia’s offshore detention centers is expected
to leave for the United States "in the coming weeks," Australia’s prime minister announced Wednesday.
During an unpleasant first telephone call in January, Mr. Turnbull pressed Mr. Trump to honor the agreement, reached
near the end of the Obama administration, for the United States to accept hundreds of refugees from the centers.
"Vetting and processing by the United States will continue, and further decisions by U.S. authorities in respect of others are expected in due course." An official with the State Department confirmed
that 54 approved refugees would be notified in the coming days and travel to the United States in the coming weeks.
and Nauru will be accepted in this first group, and they’ll be notified in coming days," Mr. Turnbull said on Wednesday.