Trump administration raises US refugee cap, but only for white South Africans

Hinzugefügt: 2026-06-03

[00:00:00]The Trump administration is raising the United States refugee cap to admit an additional 10,000 white South Africans this year. President Donald Trump announced the increase on Tuesday, citing what he called an unforeseen emergency refugee situation, and blaming the South African government for incitement of racially motivated violence.

[00:00:19]The administration says Afrikaners, a group of white South Africans descended mainly from Dutch settlers, face persecution at home.

[00:00:27]The South African government denies this claim.

[00:00:30]The change raises the annual refugee cap from 7,500 to 17,500, but only for Afrikaners.

[00:00:38]Since Trump suspended the broader refugee program on his first day in office, more than 6,000 people have been admitted through it, all but three from South Africa. Democratic lawmakers called the approach shameful, saying it abandons Afghan allies and thousands of other vetted refugees waiting worldwide.