Trump admin pauses DRC refugee removals amid Ebola
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- Trump administration will temporarily pause the removal of refugees to the Democratic Republic of the Congo because of a spiraling Ebola outbreak.
- Adriana Zapata remains in Kinshasa after a U.S. judge ordered her return, but officials say the Ebola travel ban prevents her repatriation.
- Jeremy Konyndyk of Refugees International argued that if the U.S. deems travel from the DRC unsafe, sending refugees there is equally unsafe, highlighting legal concerns.
- DHS spokesperson said ICE follows applicable health and safety guidelines for removals, yet the agency declined to comment on Zapata’s case or ongoing third‑country flights.
- Gillian Brockell estimates that 8,000‑15,000 people have been transferred to third countries in recent months.
- CDC will divert all passengers from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan to Washington‑Dulles for health screening amid the Ebola outbreak.
- Yael Schacher urged the U.S. to restore humanitarian funding, grant temporary protected status for the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, and halt all deportation flights to the region.
Why it matters: Refugees and their advocates lose a pathway to safety as the ban blocks repatriation, while the administration avoids potential legal challenges and health risks; meanwhile, the pause does little to curb Ebola, leaving public health officials to rely on screening instead.
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