The US refugee resettlement program, which offers a legal path to immigration for refugees fleeing persecution, war or other threats to their lives, has been severely impacted by President Trump’s recent directives. The pause on refugee resettlement, coupled with the freeze on foreign aid, including funds for programs that provide lifesaving treatment and support for refugees and displaced persons in Myanmar.
The country was once considered an icon of democratic reform lauded by the West but now faces severe international condemnation after four years of military rule. More than 3 million people are displaced, and thousands have been killed in a brutal aerial campaign and land mine attacks.
Nongovernmental organizations that promote democracy and provide lifesaving aid to refugees in Myanmar face significant challenges under Trump’s funding freeze. The US has been the primary source of aid for these programs, but without it, they risk being forced to shut down or operate at a fraction of their capacity.
Refugees like Saw Htun Htun, who have already resettled in Vermont and are awaiting flight to the US, now face an uncertain future. The prospect of an indefinite immigration halt has added another layer of hardship to lives already beset by conflict, poverty, and insecurity.
In one refugee camp, health clinics funded by the US have shut down due to Trump’s funding freeze, leaving residents without access to lifesaving medical care. Sewers are overflowing, posing a threat of disease, as nonprofit representatives struggle to find alternative sources of funding.
The impact of Trump’s policies on Myanmar refugees is deeply personal for many. For Lay Htoo, who was resettled in the US at age 8 and now studies health at a community college, Trump’s policies represent a betrayal of his own experience. He remembers living in refugee camps and believes that Trump’s actions have overturned opportunities for people like him.
As Trump continues to implement his foreign policy agenda, it remains to be seen how these directives will affect the lives of thousands of Myanmar refugees who are already struggling to survive amidst conflict and poverty.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/world/asia