U.S. Refugee Policy Changes and White South Africans — A Simple Guide

The Trump administration has proposed cutting the number of refugees the United States accepts and setting a new cap of 40,000 for the next fiscal year. Under one plan, about 30,000 spots would be set aside for white South Africans, often called Afrikaners. This shift has been criticized by refugee groups, while the South African government has denied that its people face the sort of persecution that would justify resettlement.

A list of 67,000 people who said they were interested in resettlement has been shared with U.S. officials. In May 2025, a small group of white South Africans arrived in the United States under the new process. Human Rights Watch and other advocates have said that many refugees from war-torn countries have been blocked, and they worry that the new policy favors one group over others.

An executive order issued on February 7, 2025 directed officials to prioritize humanitarian relief for Afrikaners. Some funding and support for refugee resettlement programs have been reduced, and agencies say this has created logistical challenges for new arrivals. Refugee advocates continue to call for transparent rules and fair access for people from many countries.