U.S. Refugee Admissions Shifted Almost Entirely to South Africa in Fiscal 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agents have conducted refugee interviews exclusively in South Africa since 2025. The result is that 7,727 of the 7,730 refugees admitted in fiscal year 2026 were from that country. In the year before the current administration took office, one South African refugee was admitted.

Background on the change The administration described the group as victims of unjust racial discrimination. Officials have stated that Afrikaners face violence and land seizures. South African officials have said crime affects all population groups.

White South Africans comprise about 7 percent of the population, own roughly 75 percent of the land, and earn nearly three times the average wage of Black workers.

Reactions from former officials Jason Marks, a former USCIS employee, said the concentration of resources on one location for one group was heartbreaking. Brandon Prelogar, who led the International and Refugee Affairs Division at the start of the current administration, said staff questioned whether the focus was a trolling exercise.

The Independent contacted USCIS for comment but received no response by publication.