The United States has raised its refugee admissions ceiling by 10,000 for this year. This decision aims to allow more white South Africans to enter the country. President Donald Trump signed the determination on May 21. The document states white South Africans of Afrikaner ethnicity face an emergency situation. This is due to alleged 'incitement of racially motivated violence' in South Africa.
When President Trump took office in January 2025, he initially froze refugee admissions worldwide. Weeks later, a program exclusively for white South Africans was launched. This effort prioritized white refugees over thousands from other continents. It challenged established humanitarian norms for refugee protection. Government figures show the Trump administration admitted only three non-South African refugees this fiscal year.
South Africa's foreign ministry has rejected the claims of persecution. Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri stated that the assertion of systemic persecution against white Afrikaners is unfounded. The White House document did not provide specific examples of the South African government inciting racial violence. A State Department spokesperson declined to confirm the 10,000-person increase but highlighted the program as a presidential priority.
President Trump had earlier set the fiscal year 2026 refugee ceiling at a record low of 7,500. This fiscal year ends on September 30. However, by the end of April, about 6,000 white South Africans had already been admitted. The new decision brings the total ceiling to 17,500. Reuters first reported on the planned expansion of this refugee program in April.
Tensions over this U.S.-led refugee effort surfaced in December. South African authorities raided a building in Johannesburg used by U.S. staff for processing refugee cases. Following diplomatic meetings, South Africa agreed to allow the program to continue. President Trump's latest determination cites 'new disruptions' to refugee operations in South Africa as a reason for the urgent need to bring in more Afrikaners. The administration is reportedly interested in bringing white South African refugees to the White House for World Refugee Day on June 20.
During the apartheid era, South Africa enforced racial segregation. This system, which ended in 1994, maintained separate facilities based on race. Black South Africans make up 81% of the population, according to 2022 data. White South Africans, including Afrikaners, represent 7% of the population.