On May 11, 2025, the first group of white South Africans granted refugee status under a program initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump boarded a charter flight from Johannesburg to the United States. This group, comprising 49 vetted individuals, is heading first to Dulles Airport near Washington, D.C., and then to Texas. The program prioritizes white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, whom Trump considers victims of “unjust racial discrimination.” This move has sparked controversy in both countries. In South Africa, critics argue that white citizens continue to hold disproportionate wealth and land despite the end of apartheid. In the U.S., the policy has drawn criticism for favoring white refugees while restricting admissions for non-white groups. South African authorities expressed concern, accusing the Trump administration of interfering in domestic affairs it does not fully understand. The narrative that white South Africans are persecuted has gained traction among far-right groups and has been publicly supported by Trump ally Elon Musk, himself born in South Africa.

Source: Reuters