US has let in 4,499 refugees since October – all but three were South African
US Refugee Admissions Shift: Over 4,000 South Africans Arrive Since October
US government records reveal a notable change in refugee admissions under President Donald Trump’s updated policies. From October 2025 to the present, 4,499 refugees have been resettled, with only three coming from Afghanistan. The rest are South Africans, according to the Refugee Processing Center. This marks a stark contrast to the previous fiscal year under the Biden administration, which saw 125,000 arrivals from 85 different nations.
Policy Change and Criticism
During Trump’s tenure, refugee admissions were suspended entirely last year, even for those from conflict zones. However, he introduced a new focus on Afrikaners, a white demographic he claimed faced unfair persecution. South Africa contested this claim, arguing the portrayal of a “white genocide” lacked solid evidence. The policy aimed to bolster security and public safety, prioritizing Afrikaner South Africans and others “targeted by unjust discrimination in their homelands,” as outlined in official statements.
“Certainly, the majority of South Africa’s commercial and smallholder farmers really do want to stay in South Africa and make it work,” said John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance.
Diplomatic friction between the US and South Africa has intensified since Trump’s return to office. In May 2025, the South African ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, was removed after criticizing Trump for promoting “white victimhood” and “supremacism.” During a meeting in the Oval Office, Trump accused South African officials of targeting white farmers, calling the situation “genocide.” President Cyril Ramaphosa disputed these claims, with support from Steenhuisen, who emphasized the farmers’ desire to remain in the country.
Recent Resettlement Trends
The South African refugee intake has grown this year, with 2,848 individuals arriving in February and March alone. Over 543 of these have settled in Texas, the highest concentration. The first group of 68 South African refugees reached the US in May 2024, setting the stage for increased arrivals. The South African government has since criticized the policy, highlighting an open letter from Afrikaner community members—academics, business leaders, and descendants of apartheid figures—who dismissed the “white genocide” narrative as racist.
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