49 Afrikaners Depart South Africa for US Under Trump's Refugee Program.
A group of 49 Afrikaners left South Africa for the United States on Sunday, May 11, 2025, under a refugee program initiated by US President Donald Trump's administration. The program, established through an executive order in February 2025, offers resettlement to Afrikaners who claim to face government-sponsored race-based discrimination.
The group departed from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, bound for Washington Dulles International Airport. Their departure has sparked controversy, with the South African government labeling the program "politically motivated" and questioning the legitimacy of Afrikaner claims of persecution.
The Trump administration's decision to offer refugee status to Afrikaners has been met with criticism. Critics argue that Afrikaners, historically one of South Africa's wealthiest and most privileged communities, do not meet international criteria for refugee status. The South African government maintains that there is no substantiated evidence of systematic persecution against Afrikaners.
Upon arrival in the US, the group will be resettled across multiple states with limited federal support for housing and employment. The individuals on board were reportedly vetted by South African authorities to ensure they have no outstanding criminal charges.
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