President Barack Obama has directed his administration to prepare to take in at least 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year, the White House said on Thursday.<br />It is the first specific commitment the United States has made toward increasing its acceptance of refugees from the war-torn country.<br />Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the United States has taken in 1,500 refugees, with 300 more expected to be cleared by October.<br />European countries have taken in waves of migrants fleeing violence.<br />Germany allowed 20,000 migrants into the country over the weekend and is preparing for 800,000 this year.
