The End of Refugee Resettlement

3 hours ago

A Sudanese Nuba family fled persecution in Sudan and sought refuge in Jordan, hoping for resettlement in the U.S. through the UNHCR.
Due to arriving after a registration cutoff, they lacked legal status and faced economic hardship, with Hiba working informal cleaning jobs.
The family experienced racial discrimination and violence in Jordan, including attacks on their son Amar, affecting his mental health.
In 2023, they applied for resettlement through the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) and were conditionally approved by late 2024.
In January 2025, President Trump issued an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, canceling their plans and causing widespread disruption.
Trump's policies shifted refugee admissions to prioritize Afrikaners from South Africa, while refugees from countries like Sudan faced travel bans.
IRAP filed a lawsuit against the suspension, and refugee resettlement organizations faced funding freezes and layoffs.
Other refugees, such as a Syrian family in Zaatari camp and an Iraqi family, also had their resettlement canceled, leaving them in limbo.
Mental health and support services for refugees in Jordan, like those from the Center for Victims of Torture, were defunded and halted.
Hiba's family now faces eviction, medical issues, and uncertainty, with few resettlement options available globally.

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