The End of Resettlement? U.S. Refugee Policy in the Age of Trump

Abstract

In the past three years, the Trump administration has taken unprecedented actions to slow the flow of refugees to the United States and undermine the foundations of the world’s largest refugee resettlement system. This article considers both the empirical substance of the White House’s anti-refugee policies, as well as their broader theoretical significance as a critical example of the Trump administration’s so-called “administrative deconstruction” agenda. Analyzing refugee policy as a theory-building case study, this article advances a novel argument reframing the administration’s actions through the lens of strategic disruption. Short of systemically deconstructing targeted programs, I contend that the Trump administration is engaged in an improvisational and deliberately antagonistic campaign to upend existing policies for the sake of disruption itself. Ultimately, Trump’s open disregard for established laws and conventions is a distinguishing feature of the administration’s approach, which limits its ability to implement lasting and legally binding change. In the case of refugee resettlement, this approach has produced a series of temporary and highly controversial policies, which have done measurable harm to refugees and humanitarian aid organizations. However, the legal and institutional foundations of the resettlement system remain firmly intact.

Digital Communication Practices around the Experience of Resettlement from Kakuma Refugee Camp to Germany

“…In first place for desired destinations abroad was and still is Canada, followed by the US. This was interrupted by Trump's presidency, as under the Trump government resettlement from Kakuma to the US was halted (Beers 2020). Trump was known for his anti-asylum politics and many refugees were disappointed and changed their opinion of the US being a desired destination.…”

“I Remember When Donald Trump Was Elected. It Broke a lot of Refugees’ Hearts”

“…Social service agencies remain committed to expanding and improving services provided to resettling refugees (Douglas et al, 2017;McNeely & Morland, 2016;Mendenhall et al, 2017;Ross et al, 2019). Despite this advocacy and commitment, Trump's deliberate effort to disrupt resettlement systems (Beers, 2020), alongside reductions in admissions and funding, led to agency closures and a scale back of services (Darrow & Scholl, 2020).…”

Opportunities for enhanced institutional accountability and professionalization: The relationships between refugee resettlement organizations, humanitarian bodies, industry and academia

“…As it focuses on accountability within humanitarian institutions and related entities, detailed discussion of this new paradigm is beyond the scope of this essay, though the many implications and potential risks to beneficiaries posed by a framework that relies on non-specialized persons should certainly be noted. (U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesperson, 2023) shakedowns during the U.S. federal government administration of 2016-2020 (Beers, 2020;Scribner, 2017;Mathema & Carratala, 2020). Moreover, "refugee services", as the field is sometimes referred to, is not a lucrative endeavor even for the highest paid of executives.…”