Refugees in Egypt are increasingly being driven into hiding as authorities step up mass detentions and deportations, prompting fear and uncertainty among displaced people from countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Syria and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
According to human rights groups, Egyptian security forces have conducted widespread identity checks and “verification campaigns” across major cities, including Cairo, Giza, Qalyubia and Alexandria, where refugees and asylum seekers have been suddenly arrested even if they presented valid UNHCR documentation or had pending residency appointments.
Amnesty International has documented arbitrary arrests and unlawful deportations of refugees and asylum seekers on the basis of immigration status, actions that violate international protections such as the non-refoulement principle which prohibits returning people to countries where they face danger. At least 22 refugees, including women and a child, were reportedly detained during raids between late December 2025 and early February 2026.
The crackdown has led many refugees to stay indoors and avoid public spaces out of fear of arrest, deportation or detention in overcrowded facilities. One Sudanese refugee cited in reports said families now only leave their homes when absolutely necessary, with volunteers delivering meals to those too afraid to venture outside.
In some cases, detainees have been held in crowded cells or courtyards without adequate shelter or medical care, with reports of deaths in custody and families struggling with the disappearance of loved ones during raids.
Rights groups are calling on Egyptian authorities to release all refugees and asylum seekers detained solely for immigration reasons and to halt deportations of people who are entitled to international protection. They warn that the hostile environment being created undermines legal asylum processes and leaves vulnerable populations exposed to violence, separation from family, and further displacement.
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