U.S. Refugee Program Admits Nearly 5,000—All But Three From South Africa

The United States has admitted 4,499 refugees since October, and all but three were from South Africa, according to official government data. This unusual pattern stems from a 2019 directive by then-President Donald Trump. He ordered priority for a specific group: Afrikaners. Afrikaners are a white, Afrikaans-speaking minority in South Africa. Trump stated they face persecution and land seizures, claims the South African government has strongly rejected. The policy continues under the Biden administration. U.S. officials state they are following the law by processing cases designated as high priority by a previous president. They emphasize that all applicants undergo the same rigorous security and medical checks as refugees from any other nation. The near-exclusive focus on one nationality and group is a sharp departure from the typical diversity of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. It has raised questions about the balance between a standing presidential directive and current global humanitarian needs.