US Halts Deportations to DRC Amid Ebola Outbreak Concerns
White House pauses removal of detainees to the DRC as Ebola outbreak widens
Image: The Guardian
The Trump administration has paused the deportation of refugees to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to a worsening Ebola outbreak. This decision has left at least one refugee, Adriana Zapata, stranded in Kinshasa against a judge's order for her return, raising concerns about the safety and legality of such deportations during a health crisis.
- 01Adriana Zapata, a Colombian refugee, was sent to Kinshasa over a month ago but cannot return due to the travel ban related to the Ebola outbreak.
- 02Experts argue that the pause in deportations does not effectively prevent the spread of Ebola and raises legal concerns about sending individuals to affected regions.
- 03At least 37 individuals have been moved to countries impacted by the outbreak in recent months, with many facing inadequate medical care.
- 04The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is implementing screening measures for travelers from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, diverting them to Washington-Dulles International Airport.
- 05Advocates urge the US government to restore humanitarian funding and halt deportations to the DRC and surrounding areas to effectively address the outbreak.
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The Trump administration has decided to temporarily halt the deportation of refugees to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amidst a significant Ebola outbreak. This decision comes as health experts express concerns that the move may not effectively prevent the disease's spread. A notable case is that of Adriana Zapata, a 55-year-old Colombian refugee who was sent to Kinshasa over a month ago but is now unable to return to the US due to the travel ban, despite a judge's ruling for her return. Experts, including Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International, argue that the government's logic is flawed; if it is unsafe for travelers to come from the DRC, it is equally unsafe to deport individuals there. The CDC has implemented measures for screening travelers from the DRC and surrounding countries, but advocates argue that deportations should be halted entirely. They call for the restoration of humanitarian funding and the designation of temporary protected status for affected regions to better address the Ebola crisis. The situation raises critical questions about the safety and legality of deportations during a health emergency.
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The pause in deportations may provide temporary relief for refugees but raises concerns about the safety of those already relocated to Ebola-affected regions.
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