US expands white South African refugee program

The Donald Trump administration is considering a significant expansion of the US Refugee Admissions Program, potentially more than doubling the annual refugee limit to prioritize white South Africans. This follows an executive order issued by Donald Trump in January 2025, which paused global refugee admissions and then prioritized European-descended Afrikaners, citing race-based persecution in South Africa. The South Africa government vehemently denies these claims. The United States — United States Department of State figures show approximately 4,500 South Africans have been admitted as refugees in the first six months of the fiscal year, with only three Afghans admitted otherwise. The current refugee ceiling for fiscal year 2026 is 7,500, a sharp reduction from the 125,000 under former President Joe Biden. Discussions also include potentially expanding the 'Lautenberg' program to include religious minorities from Iran and countries that were part of the Soviet Union. Despite the program's expansion, an internal United States government email reviewed by Reuters indicates that at least four South African refugees have returned to South Africa after resettlement in the United States.