Trump Administration Prioritizes Afrikaner Refugees After February 7 Order While Blocking Others, Sending Some Deportees to Rwanda

The Trump administration has implemented a controversial asylum program prioritizing white South Africans, particularly Afrikaner refugees, whom President Trump described as "victims of unjust racial discrimination." Following a February 7 executive order, U.S. officials have conducted interviews focusing on these applicants' experiences with racial discrimination, land disputes, and crime. Several white South African refugees reported positive interactions with U.S. authorities.

This program contrasts with the treatment of refugees from other countries such as Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, many of whom have been blocked or deported despite being vetted and cleared. Additionally, there are reports that deportees who cannot be returned to their countries due to persecution fears are being sent to Rwanda, a country criticized for its authoritarian governance and harsh treatment of dissenters. This approach marks a shift from previous U.S. refugee policies, which had suspended all refugee admissions citing security and cost concerns.