Faith Nyasuguta
In a significant development, over 67,000 white South Africans, predominantly Afrikaners aged between 25 and 45, have expressed interest in relocating to the United States following a recent executive order by US President Donald Trump. This order offers refugee status to those claiming racial discrimination in South Africa, particularly in light of new land reform laws allowing expropriation without compensation.
Neil Diamond, head of the South African Chamber of Commerce in the U.S., reported that over 67,000 individuals have registered interest through their platform. While the U.S. embassy in Pretoria has acknowledged the surge in inquiries, it emphasizes that applicants must follow official asylum procedures.
The U.S. has begun interviewing white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, seeking refugee status, citing land disputes, violent crime, and perceived racial discrimination. Over 30 applicants have reportedly been approved under the February 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump, which designates Afrikaners as victims of racial injustice. This move contrasts with the broader suspension of refugee admissions from conflict zones like Afghanistan and Congo.
The South African government has criticized the narrative of “white victimhood,” arguing that it ignores the country’s apartheid legacy and highlights that white South Africans still hold significant economic and land advantages. Out of 26,000 murders in South Africa in the previous year, just 44 were linked to farming communities. Despite allegations of persecution, some U.S. officials remain skeptical about the legitimacy of the claims.
The executive order specifically referred to Afrikaners, a white minority group who are descendants of mainly Dutch and French colonial settlers who first came to South Africa in the 17th century. The order directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to prioritize humanitarian relief to Afrikaners who are victims of “unjust racial discrimination” and resettle them in the U.S. under the refugee program.
While the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria has received a list of more than 67,000 people who have expressed interest in refugee resettlement in the U.S., it emphasizes that applicants must follow official asylum procedures.
The situation has generated controversy both within South Africa and internationally, with critics arguing that the claims of racial persecution are exaggerated and politically motivated. Nevertheless, the interest in resettlement indicates the deep divisions and ongoing debates over land reform and racial reconciliation in South Africa.
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