The U.S. State Department has clarified its refugee resettlement policy for South Africans, confirming that eligibility extends beyond white Afrikaners to include all racial minorities facing persecution, following initial confusion over the program’s scope.
According to a report by Reuters, David Green, the top official at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, sought guidance from the State Department on whether non-white minorities—such as Coloured South Africans who speak Afrikaans—could apply for refugee status in the U.S. An initial response from a senior State Department official reportedly stated that the program was exclusively for white South Africans. However, the department later corrected this, aligning its stance with existing guidelines on its website.
The updated guidance confirms that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Resettlement Support Center Africa will evaluate applicants based on whether they are of “Afrikaner ethnicity or a member of a racial minority in South Africa.” This includes groups like Coloured South Africans, who have historically faced discrimination.
To date, the program has admitted 88 South Africans, with an additional 15 expected to arrive in the U.S. by the end of August. The policy stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which initially referenced only the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees.
The clarification comes amid ongoing debates over racial discrimination and minority rights in South Africa, where some groups allege systemic marginalization. The U.S. refugee program aims to provide a pathway for those facing credible threats due to their racial identity.
The State Department has not yet commented on whether the policy shift will lead to an increase in refugee admissions from South Africa. Advocacy groups, however, have welcomed the broader eligibility criteria, calling it a necessary step in protecting vulnerable minorities.
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