Archive · 17 Dec 2025
South Africa arrests Kenyans processing US refugee applications
South Africa arrested seven Kenyans who were working illegally on processing refugee applications for the US government.
These Kenyans had entered South Africa on tourist visas, but they were not allowed to work there.
The US government is upset about this and wants an explanation.
South Africa is also talking to the US and Kenya to solve this problem.
The US has a program to bring white South Africans to America, but South Africa says this is not true.
This whole situation might make the relationship between South Africa and the US worse.
Seven Kenyan nationals were arrested in South Africa for illegally working on US refugee applications.
The Kenyans entered South Africa on tourist visas and were working at a processing centre.
Earlier visa applications for Kenyan nationals to do this work had been denied.
The US government is seeking clarification and has called the interference unacceptable.
South Africa has initiated diplomatic engagements with the US and Kenya to resolve the matter.
- Who
- Seven Kenyan nationals and two US government employees (briefly held)
- What
- Arrest and deportation of Kenyans working illegally on US refugee applications
- When
- Arrests occurred on Tuesday, December 16, 2020
- Where
- South Africa
- Why
- Kenyans were working illegally on tourist visas, and earlier visa applications for this work had been denied
- Number of Kenyans arrested
- 7
- Reason for arrest
- Working illegally on tourist visas
- Organizations involved
- Amerikaners, RSC Africa
- US government response
- Seeking clarification, called interference unacceptable
- South African government response
- Initiated diplomatic engagements with US and Kenya