South African authorities have arrested several Kenyan nationals who were working on the processing of United States refugee applications, according to information linked to the programme’s operations.
The arrests are connected to refugee case processing activities being carried out in South Africa by RSC Africa, a Kenya-based refugee support centre operated by Church World Service. According to the U.S. embassy’s website, RSC Africa is responsible for handling certain refugee application processes in the region.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of refugee programmes linked to the United States, particularly following the implementation of policies under U.S. President Donald Trump’s refugee plan. Under the programme, some white South Africans were granted refugee status after being deemed victims of racial discrimination, with the first group arriving in the United States in May 2025.
While details surrounding the arrests remain limited, the incident has raised questions about the operational and legal frameworks governing cross-border refugee processing and the roles played by foreign nationals in such programmes.
Neither South African authorities nor the organisations involved have publicly disclosed the specific charges facing the Kenyans, nor clarified whether the arrests are related to alleged procedural violations, immigration issues or broader security concerns.
The case underscores growing sensitivities around refugee resettlement programmes, which continue to draw political, legal and diplomatic attention both within Africa and internationally.
