The Trump administration has put in place firm restrictions on entry for people from multiple African countries, like Chad, Eritrea, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Sudan. However, soon after retaking office, Donald Trump carved out an exception for white South Africans.
His February 2025 executive order underlined that white South Africans, or Afrikaners, face “government-sponsored race-based discrimination”; the nightmare of being persecuted for simply the color of their skin.
In May 2025, a group of white South Africans arrived in the United States to a public welcome from US officials. The administration was open that they were happy to offer a “lifeline” for those facing racial discrimination, so long as they belonged to this specific ethnic group. Now it appears that “lifeline” has been yanked back up for some.
“I believed the hype.”
As reported by The Guardian, white South Africans who “thought that their prayers had been answered” are realizing that the United States isn’t quite as welcoming as it had appeared. The article claims that over the last few months there’s been a swathe of rejections, with the outlet claiming that on June 30, “Facebook and WhatsApp groups for prospective and successful refugee applicants began to light up with news that people had begun to receive rejection letters.”
The rejection letters did not provide a reason, even to those who had reportedly been “recommended for approval.” One man, a 64-year-old freelance TV professional, claimed he was denied entry simply because his ex-girlfriend had a past marijuana conviction. The 64-year-old told The Guardian, “I cried like a baby. It was something I actually believed was attainable. I believed the hype.”
Others say they’d gotten as far as selling their possessions under the assumption they’d be heading to the United States very soon. A couple referred to as “Peter and Liesl” claimed they’d already sold their home, their car, and many of their possessions in advance of their application being confirmed, only to find themselves rejected, they say due to Peter’s 2014 conviction for trespassing.
A 67-year-old revealed his application had been denied due to being involved in “extra-judicial killing.” He admits he did shoot a Black man dead in 1995, but claims that this was in self-defense while working as a security guard, arguing, “I did not break the law.”
US Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Zach Kahler explained that the department “reviews each refugee application on a case-by-case basis … [and] notifies aliens found ineligible for continued processing through the US Refugee Admissions Program, including those found ineligible for public safety concerns or criminal histories. This cannot be appealed. This administration will always prioritize the safety and welfare of the American people.”
As of writing, around 10,000-13,000 white South Africans have been admitted to the United States as refugees, meaning they represent the majority of all refugees entering the country until the second Trump administration. The South African government and many analysts strongly reject the characterization of systematic racial persecution of white people.
Published: Sep 15, 2026 08:50 am