Trump pushes to expand admission for White South African refugees

US President Donald Trump's administration is proposing to increase the number of White South African refugees allowed into the United States next year.

According to documents obtained by CNN, an emergency determination sent to Congress proposes raising the refugee admissions ceiling for fiscal year 2026 to 17,500 for White South Africans, commonly known as Afrikaners.

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Last year, the administration reduced the overall refugee admissions cap to 7,500, down sharply from the previous ceiling of 125,000.

The policy prioritised White South Africans while limiting access for many other refugee groups.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that “a genocide is taking place” in South Africa, alleging that “White farmers are being brutally killed and their land confiscated.”

South African officials have rejected those allegations, while CNN reported it found no evidence supporting claims of a White genocide in the country.

The proposal states that Afrikaners face “far-reaching government-sponsored race-based discrimination” and says increasing admissions is justified by “grave humanitarian concerns”.

The document also references tensions between the United States and South Africa, including comments made by South African leaders and disputes involving US personnel stationed in the country.

Under US law, Congress must be consulted before annual refugee admission levels are finalised.