The United States has welcomed 4,499 refugees between October 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, according to the latest figures released by the U.S. Department of State. Except for three Afghan nationals who arrived in November, they all have in common that they are from South Africa and are all white.
To be eligible for the resettlement program on U.S. soil, South African asylum seekers must meet several specific criteria detailed on the U.S. Embassy website in South Africa. This includes being of South African nationality, being of Afrikaner ethnic origin or belonging to a racial minority, and having been a victim of persecution based on skin color, religion, or political opinions, or fearing becoming one.
The U.S. government justifies this program based on a conspiracy theory widely promoted by President Donald Trump, claiming that entire white farming families are being forced into expropriation and facing “genocide.”
Driven by certain supremacist groups for years, this assertion is widely contradicted by facts and the South African justice system. However, this “white genocide” narrative is now the basis for the White House’s decision to massively welcome white South African citizens, with the pace expected to increase in 2026.
Context:
The U.S. has implemented a program to process asylum requests from Afrikaners, favoring white South Africans and limiting visas for immigrants from other countries.
Fact Check:
The claim of a white genocide in South Africa has been widely disputed by facts and the legal system.
A Selling Point for Donald Trump
According to Reuters, the U.S. Department of State plans to process 4,500 Afrikaner asylum requests per month in 2026, exceeding Trump’s historically low cap of 7,500 refugees for the current year. This contrasts with the admission of over 38,000 refugees, mainly from Africa and Latin America, in the 2025 fiscal year.
“In the Trump administration, things are more obvious, more visible than ever. We can say that this policy explicitly targets white individuals, Afrikaners, based on clear misology,” said John Broich, a history professor at Case Western Reserve University and author.
Fact Check:
The CAP remark on visas for immigrants due to public benefits is a stance taken by the Trump administration to halt certain types of immigration.
Less Immigrant Visas
The focus on welcoming only white refugees is in line with recent measures by Washington to reduce immigrant visa issuance for citizens of many countries. Since January 21, visa processing has been suspended for 75 countries, including 27 African states, citing concerns about access to public benefits. The lottery visa system has also been suspended due to “security reasons” in December 2025.
Context:
The U.S. has taken actions to limit visas and immigration from various countries in an attempt to restrict public benefit access to newcomers.
The “Great Replacement” Theory
According to John Broich, Trump’s policy aligns with the conspiracy theory of the “Great Replacement,” claiming non-white immigrants are taking over the U.S. This theory has been fueled by fears of demographic shifts toward Latino-Americans among Trump’s supporters and influencers.
“In the 18th century, when the United States sought independence from the British Empire, they wanted a state based on one race, that of white men. Everyone else was excluded. That’s where it all began,” concluded Broich.
