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The Trump administration is reportedly weighing a refugee admissions cap of 40,000 for fiscal year 2026, with 30,000 spots allocated to white South Africans, primarily Afrikaners, according to U.S. officials and internal communication . This represents a dramatic shift from previous refugee policy—both in scale and selection criteria.
If confirmed, this would cut refugee admissions by 60% from President Biden’s 2024 ceiling of 100,000, and mark a clear departure from decades of bipartisan efforts focused on conflict zones and humanitarian crises worldwide.
The Trump administration has framed the prioritization of white South Africans as a response to alleged racial persecution in majority-Black South Africa. Trump has long echoed claims of violence and discrimination against Afrikaners—a position rejected by the South African government and viewed by critics as racially selective.
There are over 37 million refugees globally, many from war-torn regions such as Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Venezuela. The decision to allocate three-quarters of U.S. refugee slots to a single, relatively small demographic has raised concerns among immigration experts, human rights advocates, and international observers.
Even as Afrikaners begin arriving in the U.S., many are facing unexpected hardships. According to internal emails and HHS sources, early arrivals have struggled to access basic services such as Social Security numbers, work permits, and housing.
Trump’s earlier refugee reforms had already slashed benefits—reducing cash assistance and healthcare from 12 months to just four. Refugees now report spending thousands out of pocket to survive in the U.S., with limited government support or guidance.
One South African family in Missoula, Montana, wrote to HHS in late May, saying they had spent over $4,000 on Uber rides, food, and SIM cards that failed to work. With no SSN and no job offers, they were unsure how they would find housing once their hotel voucher expired.
The refugee shift has also strained internal capacity. In July, the State Department laid off refugee program staff, forcing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reassign domestic workers—many without refugee processing experience—to handle the South Africa program.
Thirteen HHS staffers were sent to Pretoria to support refugee processing, though none were assigned to screen persecution claims, HHS said. Critics argue this illustrates a rushed and politically motivated policy that lacks both preparedness and neutrality.
This proposed refugee framework marks more than just a drop in numbers—it suggests a racial and ideological recalibration of who qualifies for U.S. protection.
Historically, U.S. refugee policy has aimed to aid the world’s most vulnerable, regardless of race, nationality, or religion. By favoring white refugees over populations from active conflict zones, the Trump administration is seen by many as undermining the core humanitarian principles of refugee law.
White House officials have attempted to downplay the concerns. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly stated, “President Trump has a humanitarian heart... any numbers discussed at this point are pure speculation.” Still, internal documents show active preparation for the Afrikaner resettlement program.
As the October 1 start of the fiscal year approaches, refugee advocates, civil society groups, and foreign governments are watching closely. The decision to prioritize white South Africans amid global crises could set a new precedent for U.S. refugee policy—one shaped less by humanitarian need and more by political ideology.
Unless redirected, the shift may create a lasting legacy: one in which refugee protection becomes a tool of selective preference, rather than universal compassion.
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