The United States is prepared to accept “at least 10,000” Syrian refugees over the next fiscal year, Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.  

The announcement comes after days of pressure on the United States to increase its efforts as refugees have died leaving Syria and pictures of refugees flooding borders in Europe have become an international drama. The refugees would all be extensively screened to ensure security, Earnest said.  

In addition to ramping up the acceptance of refugees, the United States will also continue, he said, to focus on making sure refugees have what they need and on reaching a political settlement in Syria that would allow them to return to their country.  

Earnest said it’s not feasible to have millions of Syrians come to the United States, although the administration has come under fire for not accepting many more.