As thousands of refugees fleeing war, political violence, and humanitarian crises across the globe remain shut out of the United States, President Donald Trump has expanded refugee access for white South Africans, signing an order that increases the refugee cap for mainly Afrikaner applicants by 10,000 people.
The decision raises the allocation from 7,500 to 17,500 before the end of the current US fiscal year in September, further escalating a diplomatic and political dispute that has already triggered strong reactions in both South Africa and the US.
The move follows an emergency declaration issued by the US State Department to Congress last week seeking to fast-track the processing of white South Africans, whom the Trump administration claims are facing racial discrimination and targeted violence.
The presidential determination, signed on May 21, describes Afrikaners as facing what the Trump administration called an “emergency situation” linked to alleged racially motivated violence and inflammatory political rhetoric in South Africa.
The decision builds on a controversial refugee programme launched last year, 2025, that saw dozens of Afrikaners relocated to the US, even as thousands of asylum seekers from countries including Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo remained stranded after America suspended large parts of its broader refugee resettlement programme.
At the time, 54 South Africans had initially applied for refugee status through the programme, although five applicants were later excluded after concerns linked to criminal records emerged during the vetting process.
The refugee programme has drawn sharp criticism in South Africa, with political analyst Sandile Swana arguing that refugee protection is intended for people fleeing war, persecution or severe political instability, conditions he argues do not exist for white South Africans.
“For somebody to be an asylum seeker or a refugee, there must be an evidence-based assessment that shows that the person has legitimate grounds, making it impossible for them to remain in the country of their origin,” Swana previously said.
He pointed to countries such as Sudan, Eritrea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where civilians are displaced by armed conflict and humanitarian crises, saying South Africa does not present similar threats directed at any racial group.
Swana further accused the Trump administration of advancing a political narrative that portrays white South Africans as victims.
“This move seeks to falsely accuse the government and certain political parties of unconstitutional actions, which is simply untrue,” he said.
South African authorities have repeatedly rejected claims that Afrikaners are being systematically persecuted, describing the US position as misleading and politically driven.
The Star