President Donald Trump’s changes to refugee policy have significantly altered both the number of people admitted into the US and the countries they hail from. Fresh government data shows that from October 2025 to March 2026, 4,499 refugees have been resettled in the United States, with all but three of them hailing from South Africa, specifically the white minority group known as Afrikaners.
Refugee Admissions Plummet
By comparison, during the final full fiscal year of Joe Biden’s administration, just over 100,000 refugees were admitted. This drastic decrease in refugee admissions has raised concerns about the impact of Trump’s policies on global refugee crises. According to the US Department of State, the US has historically been a leader in refugee resettlement.
The South African government has strenuously rejected Trump’s characterization of Afrikaners as a persecuted group. This move has been seen as a bias towards the Afrikaner community, with many criticizing the policy as unfair and discriminatory. Afrikaners are a white minority group in South Africa, making up around 5% of the population.
Impact on South Africa
The implications of this policy on South Africa are significant, with many questioning the reasoning behind Trump’s decision. The move has sparked controversy and debate, with some arguing that it is a form of racism and others seeing it as a necessary measure to protect a vulnerable group. The effects of this policy on US-South Africa relations remain to be seen.
Some of the key concerns surrounding Trump’s refugee policy include:
- The significant decrease in refugee admissions, which may exacerbate global refugee crises
- The perceived bias towards the Afrikaner community, which may be seen as discriminatory
- The potential impact on US-South Africa relations, which may be strained as a result of this policy
