South Africa Arrests Seven Kenyans at US Refugee Processing Centre

South Africa Cracks Down on Illegal Work at US Refugee Centre

In a targeted intelligence-led operation, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has arrested seven Kenyan nationals for illegally working in South Africa on tourist visas at a centre handling applications for refugees bound for the United States.

The arrests were carried out in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, following reports that the individuals had taken up employment despite having no legal work permits. According to the DHA, the operation was lawful, non-confrontational, and conducted without affecting US officials or the public.

Breach of Visa Conditions

Spokesperson for the DHA, Carli van Wyk, explained that the Kenyan nationals had previously applied to legally perform work related to processing US-bound refugee applications, but their requests were denied. Nevertheless, they were found working in violation of their visa conditions.

“The seven Kenyan nationals were arrested, issued deportation orders, and will be prohibited from re-entering South Africa for five years,” said Van Wyk.

The department emphasized that no US officials were arrested, clarifying that the operation was not conducted at a diplomatic site and no prospective refugees or members of the public were harassed.

Context: US Refugee Policy and Diplomatic Sensitivities

The arrests come amid heightened scrutiny of the US refugee programme in South Africa. In September 2025, US President Donald Trump set a historic low refugee ceiling of 7,500 for the 2026 fiscal year, reserving most spots for white Afrikaners from South Africa. This decision sparked international debate and diplomatic engagement with Pretoria.

The presence of foreign nationals allegedly coordinating with undocumented workers at the centre raised questions about intent and diplomatic protocol, prompting South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to engage formally with both the United States and Kenya to resolve the matter.

Lawful Enforcement and Immigration Integrity

The DHA framed the operation as part of ongoing efforts to curb visa abuse and illegal employment, a crackdown that has intensified over the past 18 months.

“The operation reflects our commitment to enforcing the law and safeguarding the integrity of South Africa’s immigration system,” the department said in a statement.

Social media reactions have been mixed, with some applauding the government’s enforcement of visa regulations, while others expressed concern over the potential diplomatic fallout with the US. Analysts have noted that the incident highlights the complex intersection of immigration law, refugee policy, and international relations, particularly in the context of controversial US refugee allocations.

What This Means Going Forward

While the arrests may appear minor, the operation underscores a broader effort by South Africa to maintain strict compliance with immigration laws and prevent abuse of refugee programmes. At the same time, it has put a spotlight on the delicate diplomatic balancing act between South Africa and the United States, especially given Trump’s highly politicised refugee policies targeting Afrikaners.

The DHA and DIRCO will continue engagement with both countries to ensure clarity, accountability, and adherence to protocol, even as the deportations are carried out and the Kenyan nationals are barred from re-entry.

This raid signals South Africa’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws while navigating complex international tensions, reinforcing that foreign nationals must comply with visa regulationseven amid politically charged refugee programmes.