Lancet correspondence highlights human cost of U.S. refugee policy shift

Mustafa Rfat, a PhD candidate in social work at the Brown School, co-authored a recent correspondence in The Lancet with Associate Professor Jean-Francois Trani, drawing attention to the humanitarian consequences of recent changes to U.S. refugee policy. 

The correspondence focuses on the federal government’s suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program earlier this year, which resulted in the cancellation of approximately 10,000 approved refugee resettlement flights. The authors argue that the sudden policy shift has placed thousands of displaced people in immediate danger and undermines long-standing U.S. humanitarian commitments.  

“The abrupt policy change has increased uncertainty for refugees living in camps. Leaving them in limbo will exacerbate pre-existing physical and mental health conditions and increase the risk of enduring harm and violence,” the authors wrote. 

They also highlighted the plight of thousands of vetted refugees, including Afghans who aided the USA, remaining stranded in limbo within camps. “These newcomers are currently facing forced deportation from refugee camps in Pakistan unless their cases are expedited for resettlement and risk Taliban retaliation if they return to Afghanistan,” they noted. 

The correspondence further underscores the broader global crisis, pointing to a record-high 43.7 million refugees worldwide in 2024, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 

“The USA should restore refugee admissions to honour its moral obligations and share responsibility for addressing the refugee crisis,” the authors wrote. “Failing to act now will deepen suffering, set a dangerous precedent, and erode refugee protections, leaving millions in immediate danger.” 

Rfat and Trani co-authored the piece with Ashley Cureton, of the University of Michigan School of Social Work and Mansha Mirza, of the University of Illinois Chicago.