Because the center is located in Xinjiang, where many Uyghurs live, the development of the center affects Uyghurs as well. The Chinese government stated that this kind of project brings jobs and economic growth to the region, but many worry that Uyghurs may not benefit from this, or could possibly even be pushed out of the areas as the development carries on. Uyghurs have suffered from discrimination and restrictions on their culture and religion, so there are concerns that projects like this may harm their way of living. The region has already gained attention worldwide because of how Uyghurs are treated, and some think that projects like this are more about control rather than helping people. As well as this, because the center brings in more people from outside the region, there is a fear that the Uyghur culture could slowly be destroyed from this. Even though the center is meant to bring economic progress, there are still concerns about the impact on Uyghurs.

However, life in Istanbul is still hard for many Uyghurs. Some do not have official refugee status, which means they can't work legally or access education with ease. Many are separated from family members who are still in China, and they are afraid of contacting them because of China's surveillance. Even though Turkey once supported Uyghurs, its government has become quieter about their situation in recent years. At least a dozen Uyghur refugees have been detained in recent weeks, raising concerns about their safety. In March 2025, Istanbul courts approved the extradition of two Uyghurs from China, which created protests from human rights organizations. The court argued there was no “serious concrete evidence” proving they would face persecution once they returned. The decision has sparked great fear within the Uyghur community about potential deportations.

Despite the strong presence of Uyghur culture and identity, Maralbexi County has also been affected by state-led policies in Xinjiang that have drawn concern internationally. Reports from independent journalists and human rights groups have brought attention to a large re-education facility in the outer area of the county. These facilities are part of China's controversial counter-extremism campaign, which critics argue has led to the mass detention of Uyghurs. In addition, restrictions on religious practices have been reported in the area, particularly during well-known Islamic holidays. During Eid-al-Fitr, mosques in parts of Kashgar Prefecture, including Maralbexi, were closed, and public prayers were not allowed. These incidents show the tension between Maralbexi's role as a center of Uyghur culture and the greater policies affecting Uyghur communities throughout Xinjiang.

Canada and the United States have become important destinations for fleeing Uyghurs in recent years. Both countries have recognized the Xinjiang crackdown as a genocide and taken steps to admit refugees. In 2023, Canada’s parliament voted to resettle up to 10,000 Uyghur refugees over two years. The U.S. Congress similarly passed the Uyghur Human Rights Act (2019), designating Xinjiang residents as special humanitarian refugees. Officially, U.S. guidelines presume that ethnic Uyghurs “are eligible for asylum” due to the documented persecution. Despite these policies, reaching North America is perilous. Many Uyghurs journey first to Southeast Asia or Central Asia. For example, dozens of Uyghurs became trapped in Thailand’s immigration centers for years. In early 2025, the Thai government deported a group of 40 Uyghurs to China despite U.S. and U.N. objections. Conversely, the AP recently reported that three Uyghur men detained in Thailand for over a decade were quietly resettled to Canada. As of April 2023, about 1,000 Uyghurs were awaiting asylum decisions in the U.S. immigration system. Some of the largest Uyghur populations in the US are in Fairfax, VA, and the DC Metro Area.