The promise of a new beginning in the United States has turned into a nightmare for many South African Afrikaners. In February 2025, former US President Donald Trump announced an executive order to accept Afrikaners as refugees, citing what he described as a “white genocide” in South Africa. However, the reality has been far from what these applicants anticipated.
Since the program’s inception, over 13,000 Afrikaners have moved to the US, with arrivals accelerating in recent months. Yet, dozens of applicants have been rejected, leaving them dismayed and confused about their future.
Historical Context and Current Challenges
Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch and French settlers, ruled South Africa during the apartheid era. Post-apartheid, affirmative action policies have aimed to redress historical imbalances, creating a black elite and middle class. However, about 38% of black South Africans remain unemployed, compared to 9% of white South Africans, according to official data.
The end of apartheid has also brought about “black economic empowerment” policies and high crime rates, fostering a sense among some white South Africans that they are now victims of racial discrimination. The far-right has amplified claims of brutal murders targeting white farmers, although official crime data does not support these assertions.
The Refugee Program and Rejections
On 30 June Facebook and WhatsApp groups for prospective refugees began receiving news of rejections. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sent letters stating that applicants were found ineligible for continued processing, with no option for appeal. The reasons for these rejections remain unclear, as the letters did not provide specific details.
One WhatsApp group, “Hope beyond the Letter” had 311 members as of 10 September indicating the scale of the issue. Some applicants gained more insight into their rejections through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. For instance, a 64-year-old freelance TV professional discovered that his case was initially recommended for approval but was later reversed due to his ex-girlfriend’s marijuana conviction.
Personal Stories of Rejection
Pieter and Liesl, who had a grandparent killed on a farm, were conditionally approved as refugees in. However, their hopes were dashed when they received a rejection letter on 24 July. Pieter had a trespassing conviction in 2014, for which he paid a fine, and had been granted multiple temporary visas to work on farms in the US between 2011 and 2024. The couple had already sold their house, car, and many possessions, leaving them in a dire situation.
Another applicant blamed language barriers for his rejection. The 67-year-old had admitted to shooting at least one black person in self-defense while working as a security guard in 1995. Despite not being charged, his application was rejected due to “crime involving moral turpitude” and “commission of acts of torture or extrajudicial killing”.
USCIS Response and Future Implications
The USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler stated that the Department of Homeland Security is committed to resettling Afrikaner refugees persecuted by the South African government. Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with rejections based on public safety concerns or criminal histories. The administration prioritizes the safety and welfare of the American people, according to Kahler.
The rejections have left many Afrikaners in a state of limbo, forced to confront the harsh reality of starting over in South Africa. The dream of a new beginning in the US has turned into a nightmare, highlighting the complexities and challenges of the refugee resettlement process.
