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Trump Administration Prepares for Arrival of First White South African Refugees

The U.S. plans to welcome 54 Afrikaner refugees next week under a controversial expedited program, as South Africa disputes claims of racial persecution.

FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators hold placards in support of U.S. President Donald Trump's stance against what he calls racist laws, land expropriation, and farm attacks, outside the American Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, February 15, 2025. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
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Protesters outside the US embassy in Pretoria. Trump claims that Afrikaners are “victims of unjust racial discrimination”

Overview

  • The first group of 54 white Afrikaner refugees is expected to arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport as early as Monday, pending final logistical arrangements.
  • President Trump's February executive order prioritized Afrikaners for refugee resettlement, citing alleged racial discrimination, while maintaining a broader freeze on refugee admissions.
  • The expedited resettlement process for Afrikaners, completed in weeks rather than the typical 18–24 months, has drawn criticism for its contrast with the suspension of other refugee programs.
  • South Africa's government has formally protested the U.S. initiative, rejecting claims of persecution and labeling the program politically motivated.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services will provide arriving Afrikaners with housing, essential goods, and financial support during their first 90 days in the United States.