President Donald Trump has reduced the number of refugees permitted entry into the United States, giving preference to white individuals from South Africa over those fleeing crises in war-torn regions. The Trump administration has set a cap as low as 7,500 for the fiscal year 2026, a significant decrease from the previous limit of 125,000 under the Biden administration. This move marks a historic low in refugee admissions since the program’s establishment in 1980.
The White House did not offer a specific rationale for the sharp reduction but officially announced the new cap in a notice on the Federal Register, which was made public on Sept. 30 and became effective on Thursday. The admission priority is now primarily allocated to the Afrikaner white minority from South Africa. Trump and his supporters claim that this group faces discrimination and violence, including allegations of “genocide,” though such claims lack credible evidence.
Under this new policy, individuals such as Afghans fleeing Taliban persecution, women experiencing gender-based violence under the Taliban regime, and those escaping conflicts in Sudan or gang violence in countries like Haiti are not considered as high priorities for refugee admission, unlike the Afrikaners from South Africa.
President of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Sharif Aly, criticized the U.S. government for politicizing the refugee program and granting special privileges to Afrikaners while excluding refugees who have undergone extensive security screenings and are currently in dangerous situations.
This decision follows previous actions by the Trump administration, including an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program until it aligns with the country’s interests. Despite denials from the South African government, Trump initiated a program earlier this year to expedite the relocation of Afrikaner farmers who claimed to be facing systematic violence.
Approximately 70 white South Africans have already been relocated to the U.S. in two groups, with a total of around 400 individuals reportedly moved under the program. The U.S. State Department aims to process 2,000 Afrikaners for resettlement by the end of October and an additional 4,000 by the end of November.
In contrast, in 2024, the top countries of origin for over 100,000 refugees admitted into the U.S. included the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, and Syria, all of which have experienced prolonged violence and unrest. The focus on a specific group undermines the purpose and credibility of the refugee program, according to Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge.
Various advocacy groups and officials have condemned the policy, with Human Rights First labeling it as “blatantly racist.” The decision to prioritize one group over others has sparked criticism for turning away vulnerable refugees in need of protection.