The United States plans to accept 17,500 refugees over the next 12 months, white South Africa expected to make up the largest grouping of new admissions.
According to a notice sent by the State Department to Congress on Tuesday, President Donald Trump’s administration plans to set a refugee admissions ceiling of 17,500 in fiscal year 2027.
The notice said the State Department “anticipates that Afrikaners from South Africa will fully assimilate into the United States in a manner that preserves taxpayer resources for US citizens.”
US President Donald Trump has persistently claimed Afrikaners – South Africa’s white ethnic minority grouping who are descendants of English, German and Dutch settlers – face persecution based on their race in the country, allegations the South African government has denied.
Trump has embarked on a race-based migration policy since returning to the White House in January 2025.
One of his first actions was to suspend all US refugee admissions when he took office in January 2025, saying they would restart only if it was in the country’s best interests.
Rights groups have criticised the bias towards white South Africans at the expense of other deserving migrants.
JN/APA