Key facts
- Dozens of white South African refugee applicants to the US have been rejected.
- The US refugee program for Afrikaners was announced by Donald Trump in February 2025.
- Rejection letters stated applications were ineligible for continued processing and could not be appealed.
- Some rejected applicants cited past marijuana convictions or crimes involving moral turpitude as reasons for ineligibility.
- USCIS stated it reviews each application on a case-by-case basis, considering public safety and criminal histories.
Dozens of white South Africans who believed they were victims of racism and sought refuge in the US under a program initiated by Donald Trump have been denied entry, leading to widespread dismay. Trump announced in February 2025 that the US would accept Afrikaners, citing claims of a 'white genocide' in South Africa. The first group of 68 arrived in May 2025, and since then, over 13,000 have relocated to the US, with arrivals accelerating in August.
However, in recent months, many applicants have received rejection letters from USCIS, stating their ineligibility for continued processing. While the letters did not initially provide specific reasons, some applicants who filed Freedom of Information Act requests learned that past issues such as marijuana convictions or crimes involving moral turpitude contributed to their rejections. One applicant, a 64-year-old freelance TV professional, was initially recommended for approval but was later denied due to his ex-girlfriend's marijuana conviction.
Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch and French settlers, historically held power during apartheid. While affirmative action policies have since aimed to create a black elite, some white South Africans feel they are now victims of discrimination, a sentiment amplified by Trump. Official data indicates higher unemployment among black South Africans compared to white South Africans, and crime statistics do not show white people or farmers experiencing crime at disproportionately higher rates, despite claims to the contrary.
USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler stated that the Department of Homeland Security is committed to resettling persecuted Afrikaner refugees and that each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, considering public safety and criminal histories. The department also noted that rejections for such reasons cannot be appealed.