Trump Administration considers the expansion of the refugee program for White South Africans
The administration of President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a proposal to more than double the current refugee ceiling to accommodate a larger number of white South Africans.
According to sources familiar with internal discussions, U.S. officials have deliberated increasing the existing 7,500-person cap by an additional 10,000 slots specifically for Afrikaners.
Since taking office in January 2025, President Trump has prioritized the resettlement of European-descended South Africans through an executive order, citing claims of race-based persecution.
While the South African government denies these allegations, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has been used almost exclusively for this group over the past fiscal year.
State Department data indicates that approximately 4,500 South Africans were admitted as refugees in the first six months of the current fiscal year, while only three refugees of other nationalities, all Afghan, were processed during the same period.
The White House has referred inquiries to the State Department, which declined to confirm the specific numbers. "If the president decides to raise the FY 2026 refugee admissions cap, he will do so at the appropriate time, and any numbers discussed at this point are only speculation," a spokesperson stated.
Despite the administration's focus on this program, internal government records reviewed by Reuters show that some arrivals have already chosen to return to South Africa.
At least four refugees resettled in states such as Idaho, Illinois, and Minnesota departed the U.S. shortly after arrival, citing family obligations or a lack of preparation for the resettlement process.
The administration is also reportedly considering including other groups under the "Lautenberg" program, which historically facilitated the resettlement of religious minorities from the former Soviet Union and Iran. Meanwhile, logistical preparations continue in Pretoria, where the State Department has installed additional facilities to expedite the processing of thousands of applicants per month.