Hundreds of thousands of refugees, like Congolese man Pacito, are left stranded in Kenya following a major policy shift by U.S. President Donald Trump, which suspended the refugee resettlement program. The decision, made just two days before his scheduled flight to the U.S., upended the life of Pacito, his wife, and infant son. Having sold all their belongings in anticipation of the move, they now live in limbo, facing hunger and homelessness in Nairobi.
This abrupt halt affects around 120,000 refugees who had already undergone the rigorous U.S. vetting process, including security and medical checks. The situation marks a sharp departure from former President Biden’s approach, under whom over 100,000 refugees were welcomed in 2024.
Trump’s “America First” policy has swiftly curtailed migration routes, initiated mass deportations, and offered financial incentives for undocumented migrants to leave voluntarily. However, a controversial exception has been made—Afrikaners, white South Africans, have been fast-tracked into the U.S. under the claim of facing “racial discrimination” and “genocide,” a claim widely discredited by experts and denied by the South African government.
In February, Trump signed an executive order granting special refugee status to this group. A flight carrying 59 Afrikaners arrived in Washington, D.C., to a warm reception, sparking outrage among other refugees still stuck in limbo.
“This is not fair,” said Pacito. “We went through all the vetting, we waited for years, and now they are processed in three months?”
Refugee advocates are calling for equitable treatment. “Every case should be based on credible evidence of persecution,” said Timothy Young of Global Refuge. “If Afrikaners can be fast-tracked, so should Afghans, Palestinians, and others fleeing real danger.”
Trump’s administration has also revoked protection for Afghans and cut foreign aid, including HIV programs in South Africa. For families like Pacito’s, the future remains uncertain. “Sometimes we eat, sometimes we don’t. We’ve been struggling badly,” he said. Returning to the DRC, where violence still rages, is not an option. “I can’t go back,” he said, echoing the despair felt by many refugees now left with nowhere to turn.
