‘Made a mistake’: Rise in refugees wanting to return to SA

A “disturbing trend” has emerged of South African refugees who have decided to return home after arriving in the US under the resettlement programme, an insider has revealed.

This comes amid news that Boksburg woman Carin Cilliers took her own life this week, after battling loneliness, depression and unemployment. 

According to new data released from US immigration, over 12 000 South Africans have arrived in the US in the last fiscal year

RISE IN REFUGEES WANTING TO RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA

In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Chris Wyatt, a US intel expert, has shared news of what he describes as a “disturbing trend” in the refugee resettlement programme for South African racial minorities, particularly Afrikaners.

He said: “There are a few families who arrived in America on the refugee programme and for whatever reason, have decided that they have made a mistake

“They got on a plane and flew back to South Africa shortly after arriving in the US

Wyatt added that there were repercussions for those who chose to abandon the programme.

“This is not a game. Refugee status is a legal recognition. If you’re granted refugee status, you must remain in the US. Unless you have permission from the State Department to leave. And that’s rare

“If you think that it’s not for you, or have any reservations, then don’t bother applying. You are taking someone else’s spot and wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars of US time and effort investigating your case to help you.

“You cannot simply up and leave. You have obligations now that you’ve committed to, and you took an oath. Your refugee status is one way, a one-time golden ticket. It’s not a visa travel back and forth”.

WHAT ARE THE REPERCUSSIONS OF CHANGING YOUR MIND?

South Africans who wish to return will undermine the basis on which refugee protection was granted and have their status revoked.

According to the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), returning to your home country or place of “persecution” may give the US government reason to believe that you did not qualify for refugee status in the first place. 

Refugees who return to South Africa for a “visit” without prior permission shall be presumed to have abandoned their asylum unless they can establish compelling reasons for their return. They are expected to explain the reason for their return when obtaining permission.

Returning to South Africa for business or pleasure can be considered evidence that the refugee’s alleged fear of persecution is not genuine.

South Africans who take up refugee status – and decide to return home – are still legally required to repay an interest-free travel loan from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).