US Policy Changes Leave Thousands of East African Refugees in Limbo
Kakuma, 20 August 2026
US policy shifts, including funding halts and indefinite bans, have severely disrupted resettlement programmes, leaving thousands of East African applicants in prolonged uncertainty.
Systemic Disruptions and Funding Freezes
The United States refugee resettlement framework is experiencing unprecedented disruptions due to the implementation of an indefinite refugee ban, stop-work orders, and prolonged reimbursement delays for resettlement agencies [1]. Humanitarian organisations, including Church World Service (CWS), have warned of devastating consequences for tens of thousands of refugee families globally [1]. For applicants currently residing in East African hubs such as the Kakuma refugee camp and the Kalobeyei integrated settlement, these administrative halts effectively freeze interview schedules and stall vital travel plans [GPT]. The lack of consistent federal funding has forced partner organisations to operate under severe financial strain, jeopardising years of infrastructure built to support safe migration pathways [1].
Local Resettlement Affiliates Under Strain
The impact of these federal policy directives is felt acutely by local community integration partners across the United States. For example, CWS Greensboro reports that immigrant and refugee families are facing immense challenges as they attempt to secure housing, find employment, complete complex paperwork, and enrol children in local schools amidst shifting federal rules [2]. In response to these escalating difficulties, CWS is actively petitioning the White House to maintain its existing commitments to the national refugee resettlement programme [1]. Additionally, the organisation is mobilising public engagement to encourage state and local officials to back ‘Freedom to Welcome’ initiatives designed to counter restrictive federal integration policies [1].
Termination of Temporary Protected Status
Adding to the insecurity of displaced populations, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for Somalia and Ethiopia were officially terminated on 14 August 2026 [1]. This termination proceeded immediately following a critical judicial decision on the same day, directly affecting approximately 700 individuals who now face an uncertain legal future [1]. To mitigate these compounding crises, CWS is coordinating advocacy campaigns focused on preserving resettlement programmes, protecting Haitian TPS holders, and addressing federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts that threaten food security for newly arrived families [1].
A Shift in Detention Standards and Oversight
These restrictive measures coincide with significant administrative shifts within the broader US immigration enforcement landscape. According to an analysis by POGO Investigates, the Office of Detention Oversight (ODO)—an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sub-agency—reported a decline of nearly 70 per cent in detention facility deficiencies, or violations, between Fiscal Years 2022 and 2025 [1]. Furthermore, the number of ICE facilities receiving a ‘Superior’ rating has nearly tripled since Fiscal Year 2024 [1]. By Fiscal Year 2026, all inspected facilities successfully passed their evaluations, a stark contrast to Fiscal Year 2023 when 10 per cent of facilities failed [1].
Contradictions in Facility Evaluations
This upward trend in compliance ratings has drawn criticism, as independent reports continue to document harsh conditions and record-high deaths in custody [1]. For instance, the Prairieland detention facility in Texas saw its rating elevated to ‘Superior’ in 2026 from its previous ‘Acceptable/Adequate’ status, despite documented issues of medical neglect, contaminated water, and lack of religious accommodation [1]. Detainees like Kordia described the facility’s water as having ‘things swimming in it,’ and Representative Marc Veasey (D-TX-33) documented similar structural problems during an oversight visit in March 2026 [1]. Similarly, Camp East Montana in El Paso achieved an ‘Acceptable/Adequate’ rating in 2026 despite registering 49 standard violations, representing one of the highest infraction totals among all inspected facilities [1].