CAPE TOWN, South Africa — A group of 49 white South Africans, primarily Afrikaners, departed for the United States on Sunday aboard a private charter flight as part of a new Trump refugee resettlement program championed by President Donald Trump.
The group, consisting of families with children, was flown by Omni Air International and expected to land at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., early Monday morning.
Trump Executive Order Cites “Persecution” of Afrikaners
This marks the first group to benefit from an executive order Trump signed in February, which accuses South Africa’s Black-led government of discriminating against its white minority. Trump’s order offers resettlement in the U.S. to South African Afrikaners allegedly suffering under “anti-white policies” such as affirmative action and land reform.
South African officials vehemently deny these accusations, calling them “unfounded” and part of a political campaign built on misinformation.
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U.S. Prioritizes Afrikaners Over Other Global Refugees
The Trump administration has fast-tracked these applications while significantly slowing down — or outright pausing — admissions from conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and much of sub-Saharan Africa. Advocacy groups have slammed the policy as racially biased and out of step with international humanitarian norms.
“This is not just preferential treatment — it’s racialized immigration policy,” said Marissa Thompson of Refugee Access Now.
Stephen Miller: “This Is What the Refugee Program Was Meant For”
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller defended the decision, asserting that the situation “fits the textbook definition” of a refugee case, citing “persecution based on a protected characteristic — in this case, race.”
South Africa Pushes Back: “This Is Political Propaganda”
In response, South Africa’s International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola condemned the executive order. “This is based on a campaign of misinformation designed to paint Afrikaners as victims, when in fact they remain some of the most economically advantaged citizens in South Africa,” he said.
South African media and political figures widely view the U.S. action as both racially motivated and diplomatically inflammatory.
Who Are the Afrikaners?
Afrikaners make up approximately 2.7 million of South Africa’s 62 million citizens, the majority of whom are Black. While some Afrikaners claim marginalization in a post-apartheid society, they are still widely represented in business, media, and politics.
Critics argue that framing them as a persecuted group worthy of refugee status ignores South Africa’s colonial and apartheid legacy, in which Afrikaners held political and economic dominance for generations.
Resettlement Support to Include Housing and Essentials
The U.S. Office for Refugee Resettlement confirmed that the incoming group will receive full assistance, including temporary housing, food, clothing, and employment placement services. More flights are expected in the coming months.
U.S.-South Africa Tensions Escalate
The refugee program follows months of escalating diplomatic strain between the U.S. and South Africa. Trump has criticized the African nation for its ties with Iran and for initiating a genocide case against U.S. ally Israel over the war in Gaza.
The executive order also included a freeze on U.S. aid to South Africa, citing the country’s “anti-white stance” and “aggressive posture” toward American interests.
