A South African group called Amerikaners, formed by white South Africans seeking to emigrate to the United States, has been officially designated as a referral partner for a controversial US refugee resettlement programme introduced by President Donald Trump earlier this year.
According to a statement released on Monday by the US Embassy in South Africa, Amerikaners has been enlisted by the US Department of State to assist in identifying and referring eligible applicants for the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Background of the Programme
Established in February 2025, the programme is aimed at “Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination,” according to the Trump administration.
Afrikaners are an ethnic group largely descended from Dutch settlers, although the Amerikaners group says it includes other white South Africans who share “Christian, conservative, and English-speaking” values.
The initiative has sparked intense political backlash in South Africa, with the national government calling it misguided and offensive.
Officials argue that the group targeted by the programme – the white minority in South Africa – does not meet the international legal definition of refugees, particularly as they remain the country’s most economically privileged demographic.
Role of Amerikaners
Amerikaners, led by 60-year-old Sam Busa, has now been tasked with:
- Collecting applicant information
- Assessing whether individuals meet referral criteria
- Submitting qualifying cases to the US State Department
The group first gained attention by submitting a memorandum to President Trump, formally accepting the resettlement offer and positioning its members as potential contributors to American society, rather than beneficiaries of aid.
Their messaging highlights patriotism, religious values, and alignment with Trump-era conservative ideals.
Busa, who has not commented publicly since the announcement, previously stated that the group is not seeking charity but a chance to “serve America.”
Despite reports that the Trump administration is considering resettling up to 30 000 white South Africans under the programme within a year, fewer than 100 had arrived in the US as of early August, according to internal estimates.
Diplomatic Tensions
The South African government continues to oppose the 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.”
A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on specific implementing partners but added in a written response: “We are grateful for the many South African citizens who have expressed their support for this refugee program.”
If you’re eligible, have you considered taking up the United States’ ‘refugee’ offer?
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