The Trump administration has announced a new refugee admissions cap of 7,500 for the upcoming fiscal year, a significant reduction from the previous limit of 125,000. The policy prioritizes Afrikaner South Africans and "other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination." This follows an executive order signed in January 2025 suspending the US Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP), with stated reasons including national security, public safety, and resource availability. The announcement also comes after past criticism by former President Trump regarding the treatment of white farmers in South Africa.
Refugee Admissions Policy
New Cap and Priority
The Trump administration will limit the number of refugees admitted to the United States to 7,500 for the next fiscal year. This decision was announced in a notice published on Thursday, which stated it was "justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest." The notice specified that the 7,500 admissions would "primarily" be allocated to Afrikaner South Africans and "other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands." This limit is reduced from the previous cap of 125,000 set by former President Joe Biden.
Suspension of USRAP
In January 2025, an executive order was signed suspending the US Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP). On January 20, Trump stated the USRAP suspension was to address the U.S.'s "ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans" and "protects their safety and security."
Background and Related Events
Criticism of South Africa
In May, during an Oval Office meeting, Trump criticized South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Trump stated that white farmers in South Africa were being killed and "persecuted." The White House presented a video it stated depicted burial sites for white farmers, though Trump indicated he did not know the filming location in South Africa. This meeting occurred shortly after the U.S. granted asylum to 60 Afrikaners. It was later clarified that the videos presented were from a 2020 protest where crosses symbolized farmers killed over multiple years.
Asylum Grant
Days before the May Oval Office meeting, the U.S. had granted asylum to 60 Afrikaners.
Reactions and Concerns
Advocacy Group Statements
Refugee advocacy groups have made accusations of unfair treatment regarding the U.S. policy of prioritizing white South Africans. Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, CEO and president of Global Refuge, stated on Thursday that the decision "doesn't just lower the refugee admissions ceiling" but also "lowers our moral standing." Vignarajah added that concentrating the majority of admissions on one group, during global crises, "undermines the programme's purpose as well as its credibility." Some groups have argued that this policy limits admissions for other persecuted groups, individuals facing harm in their home countries, and former allies who assisted U.S. forces in Afghanistan or the Middle East.
South African Government Response
During the Oval Office meeting, President Ramaphosa expressed hope that Trump officials would listen to South Africans regarding the issue. He later stated his belief that there is "doubt and disbelief about all this in [Trump's] head." The South African government has not yet issued a response to the latest announcement.