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BY Edwin Lamptey, 6:50pm June 06, 2025,

Second group of White South African refugees arrives in US under Trump Policy

by Edwin Lamptey, 6:50pm June 06, 2025,
U.S. President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa meeting at the Oval Office
U.S. President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa meeting at the Oval Office - Photo credit: BBC

A second group of white South Africans has arrived in the United States through a refugee program launched under former President Donald Trump.

The group of nine people, including families, landed in Atlanta late last week on a commercial flight.

Their arrival follows the earlier entry of 59 white South Africans who arrived in Virginia last month on a chartered flight. Both groups are part of an ongoing resettlement program that began after the Trump administration paused other refugee initiatives.

The program is aimed at white South Africans, especially Afrikaners, who claim they are facing persecution in their home country. Applicants must show they are part of a racial minority and can prove past or possible future persecution.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed that arrivals continue and that eligible individuals are being contacted for interviews.

The Afrikaner community, made up mostly of descendants of Dutch and French settlers, numbers about 2.7 million in a country of 62 million.

The total white population in South Africa is around 4.5 million, including those of British and other European descent.

The Trump administration said the policy was a response to reports of racially motivated violence and threats of land seizures affecting white farmers.

South African officials rejected those claims, saying they misrepresent the country’s challenges, which affect all racial groups.

The refugee program remains active despite criticism. Officials and advocacy groups report thousands of applications from white South Africans seeking resettlement in the U.S. Some groups say tens of thousands may have applied.

The U.S. has not released official numbers, but interviews and background checks are ongoing. The embassy continues to assess applications and schedule refugee processing for eligible individuals.

This program has sparked international debate over race, asylum policy, and the direction of U.S. immigration priorities.

While other refugee admissions remain limited, the focus on white South African applicants has drawn attention and raised questions about fairness and consistency in resettlement efforts.  

Last Edited by:Edwin Lamptey Updated: June 8, 2025

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