Refugees in Hong Kong Stranded After U.S. Suspends Resettlement Program

Key Takeaways

• The US suspended all refugee processing, including Hong Kong cases, on January 22, 2025 under Trump administration.
• Over 15,000 asylum seekers are in Hong Kong; resettlement wait times average 10–15 years.
• Canada remains an alternative but faces long backlogs; most Hong Kong cases to be processed post-2027.

Refugees in Hong Kong: Life in Limbo After U.S. Resettlement Suspension Under Donald Trump

Refugees in Hong Kong have long depended on third-country resettlement for a chance at safety and stability. For many, the United States 🇺🇸 has been the main hope. But in January 2025, the administration of President Donald Trump suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), halting all refugee case processing and arrivals—including those from Hong Kong. This sudden change has left hundreds of refugees stranded, their lives upended and futures uncertain.

This article explains the current situation for refugees in Hong Kong, the impact of the U.S. suspension, the steps involved in seeking protection, and what options remain. It also looks at the practical effects on real people, the roles of different organizations, and what the future may hold.

What Is a Refugee and How Does the System Work in Hong Kong?

A refugee is someone who has fled their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the main international body responsible for protecting refugees and helping them find long-term solutions, such as resettlement in a safe country.

Hong Kong’s Approach to Refugees

• Hong Kong does not offer permanent resettlement or citizenship to refugees. Instead, it provides temporary protection through a process called “non-refoulement,” which means not sending people back to places where they could face harm.
• As of June 2024, there were more than 15,000 asylum seekers in Hong Kong.
• From late 2009 to March 2025, only 359 people were officially recognized as refugees by the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
• In 2023, there were 301 recognized refugees, a 5.61% increase from the previous year.

The Path to Refugee Status in Hong Kong

1. Arrival and Claim: Asylum seekers arrive in Hong Kong and file a non-refoulement claim with the Immigration Department, explaining why they fear returning home.
2. Screening: The Immigration Department reviews the claim to see if the person faces a real risk of persecution.
3. Referral to UNHCR: If the claim is accepted, the case is sent to UNHCR for further review and possible recognition as a refugee.
4. Resettlement Search: Once recognized, UNHCR tries to find a country willing to accept the refugee for permanent resettlement. The United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦 have been the main options.

Long Waits and Uncertain Outcomes

• The average wait time for an asylum seeker in Hong Kong to be recognized as a refugee and resettled is 10–15 years.
• Resettlement is not a right under international law. Even recognized refugees must wait for a country to offer them a place.

How Did the U.S. Refugee Suspension Under Donald Trump Change Things?

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has been a global leader in resettling refugees since it was created by the 1980 Refugee Act. The program works closely with UNHCR to identify and bring the most vulnerable people to safety in the United States 🇺🇸.

Key Changes Under President Donald Trump

• On January 22, 2025, the Trump administration suspended all U.S. refugee processing until further notice.
• The Welcome Corps program, which allowed private citizens to sponsor refugees, was ended on February 26, 2025.
• All scheduled refugee travel to the United States—including for people from Hong Kong—was canceled.
• No new applications or referrals for U.S. refugee resettlement are being accepted.
• Exemptions may be considered only on a case-by-case basis by the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security.

Immediate Effects for Refugees in Hong Kong

• Dozens of refugees who had prepared for imminent departure to the United States found their plans canceled overnight.
• Many had already resigned from jobs, withdrawn children from school, and given up their homes in preparation for resettlement.
• According to Jeffrey Andrews, a social worker at The Christian Action Centre for Refugees in Hong Kong:
  > “Some had resigned from their jobs, their kids had withdrawn from school, and their house had been returned to the landlord. They are now back to square one, just like the day they arrived in Hong Kong to seek asylum.”

Legal and Policy Developments

• A lawsuit, Pacito v. Trump, has been filed to challenge the suspension and funding halt for refugee resettlement. The outcome is still pending.
• The U.S. government says the suspension is needed for national security and administrative reasons, but has not given a timeline for when resettlement might resume.

What Are the Alternatives for Refugees Now?

Canada 🇨🇦 as an Alternative

• Canada remains a main alternative for resettlement, but its programs are now facing heavy demand and long wait times.
• As of October 31, 2024, Canada’s special pathways for Hong Kong residents had received over 26,500 applications, with more than 10,500 approved and fewer than 200 refused.
• Most new applications are expected to be processed after 2027 due to backlogs.

Other Countries

• UNHCR continues to look for resettlement options in other countries, but the number of available places is very limited.
• In 2025, UNHCR estimates that 250 refugees in mainland China and Hong Kong will need resettlement.

Staying in Hong Kong

• Hong Kong does not offer permanent settlement or citizenship to refugees.
• Recognized refugees are allowed to stay temporarily but cannot work legally or build a long-term future.

Summary Table: Key Facts

What Is the Step-by-Step Process for Refugees in Hong Kong?

1. Arrival in Hong Kong
– Asylum seekers enter Hong Kong and file a non-refoulement claim with the Immigration Department. This claim explains why they fear returning to their home country.

2. Screening by Immigration Department
– The department reviews the claim to decide if the person faces a real risk of persecution or harm.

3. Referral to UNHCR
– If the claim is accepted, the case is sent to UNHCR for further review. UNHCR decides if the person meets the definition of a refugee.

4. Resettlement Process
– If recognized as a refugee, UNHCR tries to find a country willing to accept the person for permanent resettlement. The United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦 have been the main options, but the U.S. is now closed and Canada is backlogged.

5. Current Situation
– As of January 2025, U.S. resettlement is suspended. Canada remains an option, but most cases will not be processed until after 2027.

For more information on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, visit the official U.S. Department of State USRAP page.

What Rights and Support Do Refugees Have in Hong Kong?

Temporary Protection, Not Permanent Settlement

• Refugees in Hong Kong are given temporary protection from being sent back to danger, but they do not have the right to stay permanently.
• They cannot work legally, which makes it hard to support themselves and their families.
• Many rely on support from NGOs, such as the Justice Centre Hong Kong and the Christian Action Centre for Refugees.

Education and Healthcare

• Children can attend school, but families often face challenges with language, costs, and frequent moves.
• Basic healthcare is available, but access can be limited.

Psychological and Economic Hardship

• The long wait and uncertainty cause serious stress and mental health problems.
• Many refugees feel stuck, unable to move forward or plan for the future.

Real-World Examples: How Are Refugees in Hong Kong Affected?

Personal Stories

• Some refugees had already packed their belongings, said goodbye to friends, and prepared for a new life in the United States 🇺🇸. When the suspension was announced, they were left with nowhere to go.
• Families who had given up their homes and jobs now struggle to find work or a place to live in Hong Kong.
• Children who left school in preparation for resettlement are now out of class, unsure when or if they will return.

NGO and Social Worker Perspectives

• Social workers and NGOs are overwhelmed, trying to help refugees who have lost hope and need urgent support.
• According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the sudden policy change has created a humanitarian crisis for refugees in Hong Kong, with many facing renewed hardship and uncertainty.

Advocacy and Legal Action

• Advocacy groups like the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Justice Centre Hong Kong have condemned the U.S. suspension, warning of serious humanitarian and economic consequences.
• IRC President David Miliband said:
  > “The refugee resettlement program is a proven, orderly, cost-effective way of offering life-saving protection to some of the most vulnerable people in the world… The beneficiaries are not just those who come here; it is also the communities to which they contribute.”

Comparing U.S. and Canadian Refugee Pathways

United States 🇺🇸

• Historically the largest resettlement country for refugees worldwide.
• USRAP and Welcome Corps programs worked with UNHCR to bring refugees to safety.
• As of January 2025, all processing is suspended, with no new arrivals or applications.

Canada 🇨🇦

• Has expanded pathways for Hong Kong residents since 2021.
• Remains open, but faces severe backlogs and long wait times.
• Over 26,500 applications from Hong Kong as of October 2024, with most new cases not expected to be processed until after 2027.

Key Differences

• The U.S. suspension has left refugees with fewer options and longer waits.
• Canada offers hope, but the system is overwhelmed by demand.

Policy Implications and Future Outlook

Impact on Refugees

• Refugees in Hong Kong face renewed uncertainty, with many unable to regain jobs or housing after preparing for U.S. resettlement.
• The average wait time remains 10–15 years, with no guarantee of a permanent solution.

Impact on Hong Kong

• Hong Kong continues to provide only temporary protection, not long-term settlement.
• The city relies on third countries to offer permanent solutions for refugees.

Global Impact

• The U.S. suspension under President Donald Trump has weakened global refugee protection efforts.
• UNHCR and NGOs warn that the most vulnerable people are now left in indefinite limbo.

Legal and Political Developments

• The outcome of the Pacito v. Trump lawsuit could change the situation, but there is no clear timeline.
• No official date has been given for when U.S. resettlement might resume.

What Can Refugees and Supporters Do Now?

• Stay informed through official sources like UNHCR Hong Kong, Justice Centre Hong Kong, and Christian Action Centre for Refugees.
• For those considering Canada, check the latest updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• Seek support from local NGOs for help with housing, food, and mental health.

Actionable Takeaways

• Refugees in Hong Kong should keep in close contact with UNHCR and trusted NGOs for updates and support.
• Those with pending U.S. resettlement cases should be aware that all processing is paused, with no new travel being scheduled.
• Canada remains an option, but expect long waits and possible delays.
• Advocacy and legal challenges may change the situation, but for now, uncertainty remains.

Conclusion

The suspension of U.S. refugee resettlement under President Donald Trump has left refugees in Hong Kong in a state of limbo. With limited alternatives and long wait times, many face renewed hardship and uncertainty. While Canada offers some hope, its pathways are backlogged. The future for refugees in Hong Kong depends on policy changes, legal outcomes, and the willingness of countries to offer protection. For now, the lives of many remain on hold, waiting for a chance at safety and a new beginning.

Learn Today

Refugee → A person fleeing their country due to fear of persecution based on defined criteria.
Non-refoulement → A principle preventing refugees from being returned to countries where they face danger.
USRAP → United States Refugee Admissions Program that processes and resettles refugees in the US.
Resettlement → The process of relocating refugees to a safe third country for permanent settlement.
ACNUR → The United Nations agency responsible for refugee protection and support internationally.

This Article in a Nutshell

The suspension of US refugee resettlement has stranded Hong Kong refugees, halting hopes for safety. With Canada backlogged, many face years of uncertainty and hardship, relying on NGOs and legal action. The future depends on policy shifts and international support for resettlement pathways amid this crisis.
— By VisaVerge.com