Washington does not plan to make any policy changes to allow Middle Eastern refugees that are now swarming Europe into the United States, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said during a press briefing on Thursday.

A Syrian woman her children as they arrive on an overcrowded dinghy on a beach near the port on the Greek island of Kos on 15 August.

But when pressed again on whether the US would harbor more people, he said, “At this point, I don’t have any announcements along those lines”.

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the United States would try to increase the speed with which it addresses refugee cases, while working for a longer-term political solution in Syria. By the end of this month, it will have accepted around 1,800.

“How can the US argue that it is doing everything possible to help these people when you’re dealing, with such a small number of people who can be admitted”, asked one reporter.

$1.6 billion: Money spent by global community to help refugees this year. However, thousands have sought and been granted asylum in these countries as well as throughout Europe.

Since fighting erupted in 2011 the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has recommended 17,000 Syrians for resettlement in the United States.

Number of registered refugees from Syria.

“But the record from Syria, I’m afraid does not amount to leadership”. Instead the American president opted for a compromise that forced Assad to turn over all stockpiles of chemical weapons in exchange for not having airstrikes conducted against Syria. He added that a scheduled September 14 meeting of European Union leaders to discuss a coordinated response to the crisis demonstrates the continent’s ability to cope.