The Trump administration has announced a cap of 7,500 refugees for the upcoming fiscal year, significantly reducing the previous limit of 125,000 set by former President Joe Biden. This decision prioritizes white South Africans, specifically Afrikaners, along with others facing “illegal or unjust discrimination” in their home countries, as per a notice on the Federal Register. No specific rationale was provided for this reduction, apart from a statement implying it aligns with humanitarian concerns and national interests.
In January 2025, President Trump had signed an executive order to suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), citing priorities related to national security and public safety. In a meeting in the Oval Office, Trump expressed concerns about the treatment of white farmers in South Africa, claiming they were facing persecution. A video shown during this meeting purported to display burial sites of murdered white farmers, although its origins are disputed, reportedly depicting a protest from 2020 rather than a real-time situation in South Africa.
On his first day in office on January 20, Trump stated that suspending USRAP was necessary due to the U.S. lacking the capacity to absorb large numbers of migrants without compromising resources for American citizens. This new policy directed at accepting specifically white South Africans has drawn criticism from refugee advocacy groups, who argue it unfairly favors one demographic over others, including various persecuted groups worldwide. Some have voiced concerns that this approach effectively excludes other refugees in need, including those who previously assisted U.S. forces in regions like Afghanistan and the Middle East.
As of now, the South African government has yet to officially respond to these developments.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy40jj71243o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss