US faces criticism from South Africa over Afrikaner refugee plan

South Africa on Friday, May 9, 2025, voiced strong disapproval of a reported U.S. plan to accept white Afrikaners as refugees, possibly beginning as soon as next week.

According to a document obtained by CBS, the U.S. government under President Donald Trump is considering this resettlement a “priority.”

Although the White House has not publicly confirmed the timeline.

Recall that Diaspora Digital media had earlier brought you the report about the plans of the US to take in some Afrikaners as refugees.

In response, South Africa’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Friday condemning the move.

The government characterized the proposal as “politically motivated,” arguing that it was an attempt to discredit the country’s constitutional democracy.

South African officials suggested that the plan was rooted in misinformation and framed in a way that promotes a misleading narrative about racial dynamics in the country.

This potential refugee plan follows comments made by President Trump in February.

President Trump had claimed that Afrikaners, a white minority group in South Africa, were victims of racial discrimination.

In an executive order, Trump signaled that these individuals might be eligible for resettlement in the United States.

This decision has reignited debate over land ownership and crime in South Africa.

This is particularly in rural farming areas where white farmers have claimed they are being targeted for attacks.

The South African government has stated that it would not obstruct individuals who qualify for the U.S. refugee program and wish to leave the country.

However, it stressed the need for careful scrutiny.

It also requested assurances from the U.S. government that all individuals being considered for resettlement, have been thoroughly vetted and do not have criminal cases pending against them.

Additionally, the South African foreign ministry challenged the narrative that white farmers, or any racial group, are specifically being targeted.

It said that available crime data does not support the claim that white individuals, including Afrikaners, are disproportionately victims of violent farm attacks.

The government reiterated that allegations of racial discrimination against the white minority lack factual backing.

Despite this, advocacy groups representing white farmers maintain that their members are being murdered specifically because of their race.

These organizations argue that racial animosity is a key factor behind farm-related violence, although this view remains controversial.

The view is also not widely supported by independent crime statistics or law enforcement data.

It was gathered that a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department confirmed that officials were currently interviewing South Africans interested in the resettlement program.

The spokesperson explained that the focus is on Afrikaners who claim to be suffering from unjust racial discrimination.

Nevertheless, the U.S. government has not announced an official start date for the resettlement process.

The Trump administration has further strained diplomatic relations by accusing the South African government of forcibly taking land from white farmers without offering compensation.

South African authorities have consistently denied these allegations.

They argue that land reform policies are legal and aimed at correcting historical injustices rooted in apartheid-era dispossession.

According to the documents reviewed by CBS, U.S. officials are planning a formal welcoming ceremony at Dulles International Airport in Virginia on Monday.

This event is expected to coincide with the arrival of the first group of Afrikaner refugees, although no official announcement has been made to confirm this.

In summary, South Africa has expressed concern over the U.S.’s proposed resettlement of Afrikaners.

It views it as an act driven by political motives rather than humanitarian concern.

While the U.S. maintains that it is offering protection to victims of discrimination, South African authorities continue to reject claims of targeted violence against the white minority.

The dispute highlights deeper tensions between the two nations, particularly around the issues of race, land ownership, and international migration.

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