Since last August, the IOM (International Organization for Migration)-Burundi office, has put in place temporary 21-day medical surveillance measures for refugees en route to the United States, in response to the increase in Mpox cases on the Burundian territory. This period was recently reduced to a single week. But concerns persist around the immigration policy, with the election of Donald Trump as the new president of the United States.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The reduction in the medical surveillance period was welcomed by refugees who have completed their resettlement process, awaiting their departure.

The period also coincides with a wave of massive departures of refugees to the United States.

Anselme is an urban refugee. He says, « I was relieved to hear that the monitoring period had been reduced. One week is much more manageable. I will soon be leaving Burundi after so much waiting. I am eager to start a new life in the United States. »

For other refugees like Claudette, the reduction in the medical monitoring period was the best news.

« I was afraid of being stuck here longer because of the disease. Now I can be re-united with my family in the United States and rebuild my life, » she rejoices.

Concerns

Despite this reduction in the medical monitoring period and the massive number of departures, uncertainty hangs over the future of refugees still waiting in their process. They fear a return to Donald Trump’s restrictive measures after he arrives at the White House on January 20, 2025, fearing that their hopes will be dashed. During his first term, Trump significantly reduced the quotas for admission to the United States, which seriously affected the lives of thousands of Congolese refugees seeking a new life.

Mutokambari testifies that « living in a camp for 20 years is exhausting. I have seen so many of my friends lose hope. We have started the resettlement process, but we are afraid that Trump will reduce the quotas again, as he did during his first term, which could jeopardize our future. We need a chance to start our lives again in the United States. »

Under the previous term of Donald Trump (January 20, 2017-January 20, 2021), the quotas of refugees resettled in the United States were drastically reduced, reaching a historic low of 18,000 in 2020. On the other hand, under the Biden administration, these quotas were increased, aiming to welcome up to 125,000 refugees per year, thus reflecting a return to a more humanitarian immigration policy.

Donald Trump has already promised to expel millions of undocumented immigrants and toughen immigration laws, upon his return to the White House in a few weeks.

Several initiatives and actions are already being put in place by activists and citizen organizations to « limit or avoid the damage ».

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Congolese refugees at Bujumbura airport in the commercial city of Burundi heading for the United States