The Trump administration will limit the number of refugees admitted to the US to 7,500 over the next year, giving priority to white South Africans. This move, announced in a notice published on Thursday, represents a dramatic cut from the previous limit of 125,000 set by former President Joe Biden, reaching a record low.
No rationale was provided for the significant reduction; however, the notice cited humanitarian concerns or otherwise in the national interest. In January, Trump enacted an executive order halting the US Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP), asserting it would enable authorities to prioritize national security and public safety.
The previous minimum admissions cap was set by Trump's first administration in 2020 with 15,000 spots. The latest notice indicated that the 7,500 admissions would primarily go to Afrikaner South Africans and others facing unjust discrimination in their home countries.
Earlier in the year, Trump suspended critical aid to South Africa, proposing that members of the Afrikaner community—descendants of Dutch and French settlers—be allowed to relocate to the US as refugees.
Trump has publicly criticized South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, alleging persecution of white farmers. During a tense meeting in May, he claimed that murder and persecution against white farmers were prevalent. However, South Africa's government has adamantly denied these claims.
This policy has drawn fire from refugee advocacy organizations, who argue that it harms the US's moral standing and neglects those escaping dire situations in various nations, pointing to potential injustices and unfair prioritization.
