Almost all US refugees are now from South Africa, as Trump focuses on Afrikaners
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Sarah Matusek Staff writer
All but three of the 4,499 refugees let into the United States this fiscal year so far have come from South Africa. This squares with President Donald Trump鈥檚 pledge to prioritize Afrikaners from that nation 鈥� who are white 鈥� while capping refugee entries at a record low.
Halfway through fiscal year 2026, the latest State Department data, published this week, shows that refugee arrivals have already surpassed half of the 7,500 admissions cap.
During the last full year of the Biden administration, by contrast, over 100,000 refugees arrived (a three-decade high). The sharp reversal now 鈥� and the singling out of one ethnic group to protect 鈥� marks a deep departure from the program built with bipartisan support in 1980.
Why We Wrote This
Virtually all of the refugees let into the U.S. in the first six months of the fiscal year came from South Africa. The State Department data released this week appears to support President Donald Trump鈥檚 pledge to prioritize Afrikaners 鈥� white South Africans.
President Trump took an axe to his predecessor鈥檚 immigration policies, including expansive refugee resettlement. On his first day back in office, Mr. Trump the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, citing security and assimilation concerns.
Following that news, refugee advocates criticized the withdrawal of American humanitarian aid as major conflicts abroad continued to displace millions. The Episcopal Church, a longtime refugee services provider, it would end those services with the U.S. government and decline resettling white South Africans over others. The church cited its 鈥渟teadfast commitment to racial justice.鈥�
Late last year, Mr. Trump that he would prioritize Afrikaner refugees 鈥渁nd other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination.鈥� The president appeared to stake a claim in a debate over the persecution versus privilege of white South African farmers. Farm attacks are real in South Africa, but have been .
While more than 90% of South Africa鈥檚 population is Black, Indian, or multiracial, the Trump administration singled out Afrikaners. The State Department data does not specify race.
Refugees, who flee identity-based persecution, are accepted for protection in the U.S. before they鈥檙e admitted. Prior to this administration, refugees had often waited years in camps abroad before they were approved to arrive.
The largest share of South African refugees 鈥� over 500 鈥� has arrived in Texas, followed by Florida and California. The exception to South African arrivals came in November, when three refugees from Afghanistan landed in Colorado.
The Trump administration鈥檚 separate attempt to arrest refugees already here 鈥� ahead of their obtaining green cards 鈥� has been blocked by courts.
Asked about the prospect of admitting refugees beyond South Africans, a State Department spokesperson said they do not discuss the details of specific cases.
Editor鈥檚 note: This article was updated April 8, the day after initial publication, to clarify the racial makeup of South Africa鈥檚 population and Afrikaners鈥� role within it.
