Faith Nyasuguta
A group of 49 white South Africans, mainly Afrikaner families, left Johannesburg for the United States on Sunday under a controversial new refugee program unveiled by President Donald Trump in February. The group traveled via a private charter flight and landed at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., early Monday.
This marks the first relocation of Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch and French colonial settlers, under Trump’s executive order, which accuses South Africa’s Black-led government of racial discrimination against white citizens. Trump’s order, signed on February 7, claims that affirmative action policies and land expropriation laws unfairly target Afrikaners, framing them as victims of race-based persecution.
“Africa is no longer waiting to be invited to the table, Africa is building its own table,” President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone said during a separate African forum, drawing attention to ongoing continental efforts for self-determination, which contrast with Trump’s narrative.
The U.S. government has fast-tracked the Afrikaners’ refugee applications, even as it freezes entries from regions embroiled in war, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and much of sub-Saharan Africa. Critics have sharply questioned why white South Africans are being prioritized ahead of refugees fleeing violence and famine, especially when U.S. vetting for refugees typically spans years.
Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, defended the move, stating, “This is persecution based on a protected characteristic-in this case, race. This is race-based persecution. It fits the textbook definition of why the refugee program was created.”
But South Africa’s government has dismissed the allegations as “completely false.” Officials argue that Afrikaners are not only safe but are among the most economically privileged citizens in a country that is more than 80% Black. They point to Afrikaners’ visibility in business, media, politics, and cultural life. Afrikaans is recognized as one of the country’s official languages, and Afrikaner institutions remain prominent in every major city and town.
South Africa’s transport ministry confirmed the group’s departure from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Police and airport officials escorted them through check-in, and all 49 passengers were vetted to ensure there were no outstanding warrants. The flight was operated by Omni Air International, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and included a refueling stop in Dakar, Senegal.
Despite rejecting claims of discrimination, South African authorities said they would not stop the Afrikaners from leaving. “We respect their freedom of movement,” said ministry spokesperson Collen Msibi.
The Trump administration plans for this flight to be the first in a broader effort to relocate more white South Africans. A U.S. government delegation was expected to welcome the group at Dulles, including the deputy secretary of state and representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
A document from HHS outlines that the new arrivals will receive full resettlement support—housing, furniture, groceries, clothing, and even baby supplies like diapers. The memo emphasized that relocating Afrikaners is “a stated priority of the Administration.”
This refugee initiative is already generating legal challenges and diplomatic friction. The February executive order also cut U.S. aid to South Africa, accusing the country not only of racism but of adopting an anti-American foreign policy. It cited South Africa’s genocide case against U.S. ally Israel and its growing ties with Iran as examples of hostility toward the United States.
In South Africa, many citizens are baffled. To them, the idea that Afrikaners qualify as persecuted refugees seems disconnected from reality. “They are business leaders, politicians, and part of everyday life,” said one observer. “They’re not fleeing bombs or hunger, they’re leaving because of a political narrative created abroad.”
As the Trump administration prepares for a wider rollout of the program, many questions remain, about priorities, fairness, and the future of U.S.-South Africa relations.
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