The U.S. administration is preparing to slash the number of refugees admitted to the United States to just 7,500 in fiscal year 2026, marking the lowest level in the program’s history, while prioritizing white South Africans for resettlement.
The move reflects the immigration policies of President Donald Trump, who has effectively halted the refugee program since returning to the White House in January, except for limited cases involving white South Africans.
According to official documents, priority will be given to Afrikaners, descendants of early European settlers in South Africa, and to individuals categorized as “victims of unlawful discrimination” in their home countries.
The decision comes as part of Trump’s renewed election campaign, centered on tightening immigration laws and deporting undocumented migrants. In January, he signed an executive order suspending refugee admissions, reinforcing his broader message of restrictive border and asylum policies.
