Nationwide — A charter flight carrying 59 white South Africans landed at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. on May 12, 2025, making them the first group of Afrikaners to be granted expedited refugee status under a new directive from the Trump administration. Their arrival comes at a time when the U.S. refugee admissions program for all other countries — including those experiencing war and political turmoil — has been indefinitely suspended. The group, which includes families with young children, was greeted by U.S. officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar. Landau claimed the group had faced “egregious discrimination” in South Africa, a claim strongly denied by the South African government.
President Donald Trump directed his administration earlier this year to prioritize the resettlement of South Africans of European descent, particularly Afrikaners, who are primarily descendants of Dutch settlers. The administration and allies, such as South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, argue that members of South Africa’s white minority have been unfairly targeted through policies like land expropriation without compensation. Trump described the situation as a “genocide of white farmers,” although this narrative has been widely challenged by international observers and human rights organizations.
According to CBS News, the South African government has pushed back against these claims, maintaining that its land reform efforts are aimed at correcting historical injustices stemming from apartheid. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a phone call with Trump, denied any organized persecution of Afrikaners and stated that they do not meet the legal definition of refugees. South Africa’s Ministry of International Relations issued a statement calling it “ironic” that the U.S. would prioritize refugee status for one of the country’s most economically privileged groups while rejecting more vulnerable refugees from around the world.
The Afrikaners were resettled in the U.S. unusually quickly—within just a few months—bypassing the multi-year timeline typical for refugee applications. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which normally vets refugee cases, confirmed it was not involved in this process. When asked why the group was prioritized, Landau cited alleged threats and violence against white farmers. However, South African officials counter that farm attacks are part of the country’s broader crime issues and are not racially motivated.
The move has caused friction with longtime U.S. refugee resettlement partners. Episcopal Migration Ministries announced it would not assist in settling the Afrikaners, citing “preferential treatment” and a “commitment to racial justice.” Bishop Sean Rowe stated that his organization was informed of the government’s expectations but declined participation, choosing instead to wind down its federal partnerships. Meanwhile, Church World Service said it would assist the Afrikaners despite concerns over fairness, reiterating its mission to serve all eligible refugees.
Tensions between the U.S. and South Africa have escalated over the matter, culminating in the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, after he accused the Trump administration of using “white victimhood as a dog whistle.” The U.S. responded by accusing Rasool of “race-baiting.” The refugee issue is the latest in a series of diplomatic disputes, including U.S. criticism of South Africa’s opposition to Israel at the International Court of Justice. As the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on global refugee admissions, critics argue that this exception for Afrikaners reveals a racially and politically selective approach to humanitarian policy.
