In early February 2007 the United States and the United Nations developed a plan to resettle several thousand refugees in the United States. In an initial step, refugees would apply for applicant status. The US aimed to settle at least 5,000 refugees in the US by the end of 2007. Kristele Younes of Refugees International supported these moves towards resettlement, but she said that "the numbers remain low compared to what the needs are." A July 22, 2007 article notes that in 2007 only 133 of the planned 7000 Iraqi refugees were allowed into the United States. Of the refugees' status, US Senator Edward M. Kennedy (Massachusetts) said, "We can’t solve the problem alone, but we obviously bear a heavy responsibility for the crisis."