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U.S. President Donald Trump has raised the annual refugee admissions cap by 10,000 to accommodate more white South Africans, according to a signed presidential determination reviewed by Reuters.
The document, dated May 21, asserts that Afrikaner white South Africans face an emergency caused by racially motivated violence incited by political parties and the government.
This expansion marks a continuation of a selective humanitarian policy.
Although Trump froze global refugee admissions upon taking office in January 2025, he launched an exclusive pipeline weeks later specifically for white South Africans.
This initiative prioritised white refugees while turning away thousands of vulnerable individuals from Asia, Africa, and other regions.
Consequently, government data shows that the administration has admitted only three non-South African refugees during the current fiscal year.
The South African government firmly rejects the American administration’s characterisation of the local climate.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri stated to Reuters that the claims of systemic persecution against European-descended Afrikaners lack any foundation.
Furthermore, the reviewed White House document provides no specific examples of the South African state inciting racial violence.
While a State Department spokesperson declined to officially confirm the 10,000-person increase, they emphasised that the president determines refugee levels and views this programme as a top priority.
Trump originally set the fiscal year 2026 refugee ceiling at a record-low 7,500, but his administration had already admitted 6,000 white South Africans by the end of April.
This latest adjustment effectively raises the total refugee ceiling to 17,500.
Operational friction previously threatened the programme in December when South African authorities raided a Johannesburg facility where American personnel processed refugee applications.
Following high-level diplomatic meetings weeks later, South Africa agreed to let the American processing continue.
In his recent determination, Trump explicitly cites these operational disruptions as a core reason for the urgent need to accelerate Afrikaner admissions.
Administration officials also plan to invite white South African refugees to the White House to mark World Refugee Day on June 20.
