U.S. Plan to Resettle White South Africans Sparks Global Debate
SOUTH AFRICA – A controversial U.S. migration policy is set to bring the first group of white South Africans—primarily Afrikaners—to the United States next week.
The initiative, supported by former U.S. President Donald Trump, claims that Afrikaners face racial discrimination and land expropriation in South Africa, leading to their relocation under a special visa program.
However, the South African government has strongly denied these allegations, calling the move politically motivated.
The program, known as Mission South Africa, offers a fast-tracked immigration process for Afrikaners, bypassing the standard refugee resettlement system.
Trump and his supporters argue that South Africa’s land reform policies unfairly target white farmers, a claim that has been widely disputed.
The South African government insists that Afrikaners are among the most economically privileged groups in the country and do not meet the criteria for refugee status.
According to USA Today, Trump’s backing of the Afrikaners dates back to his first term, but his support intensified after South Africa’s Expropriation Act became law.
The act allows the government to seize land for public interest, sometimes without compensation, a policy that has drawn criticism from Trump and his South African-born supporter, Elon Musk.
The first group of 54 Afrikaners is expected to arrive in the U.S. on Monday, with TimesLIVE reporting that up to 1,000 individuals may be resettled this year.
The move has sparked debate, with critics arguing that the initiative undermines South Africa’s governance and land policies rather than addressing genuine persecution.
The South African foreign ministry has condemned the policy, stating that allegations of racial discrimination are unfounded and do not meet the threshold for refugee status under international law.
Despite the controversy, Afrikaner lobby groups such as AfriForum and Solidarity have actively sought U.S. intervention, claiming that land reform policies in South Africa threaten their livelihoods.
These organizations have met with senior representatives of the Trump administration, pushing for immigration relief and expedited resettlement.
Political analysts suggest that the policy could strain diplomatic relations between South Africa and the United States.
The South African government has already raised concerns with U.S. officials, challenging the classification of Afrikaners as a persecuted group.
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has defended the move, arguing that Afrikaners face “race-based persecution” and deserve protection under U.S. law.
According to U.S. News, refugee groups have questioned why white South Africans are being prioritized when Trump has suspended refugee programs for other regions, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and most of sub-Saharan Africa.
TimesLIVE confirms that the first group of Afrikaners will arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport before being resettled across multiple states.
As the first Afrikaners prepare to relocate, observers will examine the impact of the migration program, analyzing its success and potential expansion.
