US President Donald Trump has announced the steepest reduction in America’s refugee intake in modern history, cutting next year’s admissions cap from 125 000 to just 7 500 – with priority reportedly given to white South Africans.
The new ceiling, published in the Federal Register this week, marks a dramatic shift from former president Joe Biden’s policy, which welcomed more than 100 000 refugees in 2024.
According to a note from the government’s Federal Registry, the sharp reduction was made for “humanitarian” and “national interest” reasons.
However, critics believe this is purely a political decision that undermines America’s long-standing refugee programme.
White South Africans ‘are persecuted’
According to the White House document, the 2026 refugee programme will focus largely on South Africans from the white Afrikaner minority – a move that has provoked outrage from human rights advocates and lawmakers.
Trump has previously claimed that Afrikaners in South Africa are targeted due to their race, echoing controversial assertions made by South African-born billionaire Elon Musk.
The South African government continues to oppose the Afrikaner-refugee programme, calling the claims of racial persecution unsubstantiated.
In a statement earlier this year, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said: “This narrative plays into dangerous stereotypes and undermines the real challenges faced by disadvantaged communities in South Africa.”
Decision is possibly unlawful
In January, Trump temporarily suspended all refugee admissions, saying the pause was needed to review national security measures.
He has since reopened the programme with a new focus, giving preference to certain groups, including South Africans, over others.
Democratic lawmakers also criticised the decision, saying it was rushed and possibly unlawful.
“This bizarre presidential determination is not only morally indefensible, it is illegal and invalid,” said Senator Dick Durbin and Representative Jamie Raskin in a joint statement.
A senior administration official blamed the recent government shutdown for delays in consulting Congress, which is required by law before setting refugee limits.
