Trump raises U.S. refugee cap by 10,000, limited to white South Africans

The additional 10,000 slots are reserved exclusively for Afrikaners, members of South Africa's white minority. The order states that the increase is justified by "grave humanitarian concerns" and is "otherwise in the national interest." It cites "recent increases in the incitement of racially motivated violence" by the South African government and leaders of prominent political parties.

Background on the refugee program Trump suspended the refugee program on his first day in office in January 2025. Later that year he lowered the annual cap from 125,000 to 7,500, the lowest level in U.S. history. He also ordered a re-review of nearly 197,000 refugees previously cleared to enter during the prior administration.

An exception was carved out for Afrikaners. The first group claiming asylum arrived in May 2025. As of April, just over 6,000 refugees have been admitted this fiscal year, all but three from South Africa, according to State Department data.

Reactions from advocacy groups Refugee advocacy organizations criticized the order. Beth Oppenheim, president of the refugee organization HIAS, said in a statement: "That is not refugee protection. " The International Rescue Committee said it was "deeply troubled" by the order.

It noted that more than 128,000 "fully vetted" refugees were stranded after admissions were shut down. Democratic senators and representatives issued a joint statement calling the approach "shameful" and said it prioritized "white-only Afrikaners" while leaving Afghan allies and other approved refugees without protection.

South Africa's government disputes the characterization of targeted violence against white farmers and says crime statistics do not support the allegation.