South Africa arrests 7 undocumented Kenyans processing U.S. visas

Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The South African government arrested seven Kenyans working illegally in a center that processes White South African applicants for American refugee status, accusing the United States of hiring workers who don't have work authorization.

The processing center is run by RSC Africa, a Kenya-based refugee center operated by Church World Service.

There were no U.S. officials arrested, and the operation was not at a diplomatic site, the South African government said.

The United States has drastically cut its allowance of refugees into the country, from 125,000 to 7,500 per year, but said it will prioritize Afrikaners, who are mostly descendants of Dutch and French settlers.

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President Donald Trump has claimed that Afrikaners are facing genocide in South Africa, though he's produced no evidence.

South Africa arrested the Kenyans after reports showed that the people "had recently entered South Africa on tourist visas and had illegally taken up work."

"The presence of foreign officials apparently coordinating with undocumented workers naturally raises serious questions about intent and diplomatic protocol," a statement from the South African government said. "The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has initiated formal diplomatic engagements with both the United States and Kenya to resolve this matter."

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the department was "seeking immediate clarification from the South African government" and expected "full cooperation and accountability."

"Interfering in our refugee operations is unacceptable," he said in a statement.

The relationship between South Africa and the United States has deteriorated in recent months because of Trump's allegations of genocide, cutting aid and creating high tariffs against the country.

At issue is a law passed earlier this year allows the government to seize land without compensation. But the government has not seized any land yet, though Trump has claimed otherwise.

Trump refused to attend the G20 Summit in South Africa in November and said the country's representatives will not be welcome at the next one in the United States.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the White House in May. The contentious meeting with Trump was focused on the "genocide" in South Africa, though Ramaphosa countered Trump on his claims.

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President Donald Trump participates in a Hanukkah reception in the East Room at the White House on Tuesday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo