US Opens Doors To White Afrikaners As Trump Punishes South Africa
White Afrikaners will now be granted refugee status in the United States as part of former President Donald Trump’s latest directive. The move comes as Trump imposes sanctions on South Africa, citing racial discrimination, land expropriation, and foreign policy concerns.
A new executive order declares that white Afrikaners are “victims of unjust racial discrimination” and will be prioritised for resettlement under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
“The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take appropriate steps, consistent with law, to prioritise humanitarian relief, including admission and resettlement,” the directive states.
Trump’s order further states that South Africa’s government is actively dismantling “equal opportunity in employment, education, and business,” which he claims has led to “disproportionate violence” against white farmers and landowners.
Trump Orders Afrikaner Resettlement
Under the executive order, the U.S. will no longer provide aid to South Africa while assisting white South Africans seeking refuge in America.
“The Republic of South Africa recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 to enable the government to seize ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation,” the order reads.
The directive claims the South African government has implemented policies that “fuel disproportionate violence against racially disfavoured landowners.”
The U.S. will now facilitate the relocation of Afrikaners, with the State Department and Homeland Security tasked with ensuring a “smooth transition and settlement.”
“It is the policy of the United States to promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination,” the document further states.
The White House directive also links the sanctions to South Africa’s recent geopolitical moves, stating that the country has “taken aggressive positions towards the United States and its allies.” The decision comes after South Africa initiated legal proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the country of genocide.
Washington has also cited South Africa’s growing ties with Iran, which it claims threaten “U.S. national security interests and those of its allies.”
International Backlash And Reactions
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has strongly criticised Trump’s actions.
“Donald Trump was elected to govern the United States, not to rule the world,” Lula said.
“America promotes itself as a symbol of democracy and ‘sheriff’ of the world, but these are provocations.”
Political analysts warn that this move could have significant consequences for South Africa’s domestic politics. Some believe it could strengthen hard-left factions within the ruling African National Congress (ANC), forcing the party to take a more radical stance against Western influence.
“This will energise radical elements in the ANC and weaken moderate voices,” a South African political commentator observed.
Despite the sanctions, the South African government has not yet issued an official response to Trump’s directive. Meanwhile, some Afrikaners have reportedly expressed interest in taking up the U.S. offer.
“We have been left with no choice. The situation in South Africa is becoming unbearable for many Afrikaners,” one white farmer stated.
South African opposition parties have also weighed in, with some calling the U.S. move “unwarranted interference” in domestic affairs. Others, however, believe that Afrikaners who feel targeted should be allowed to leave.
“If people believe they are not safe, they should go where they feel welcome,” a political analyst noted.
The coming weeks are expected to see heated debates on the issue, both in South Africa and internationally.