Donald Trump’s administration is considering a significant expansion of the U.S. refugee program to admit more white South Africans, according to a report by Reuters on April 23, 2026.
Sources familiar with the discussions say officials are weighing an increase of the current refugee cap from 7,500 to as many as 17,500, with a focus on Afrikaners, a white ethnic minority in South Africa whom Trump has claimed face racial persecution. The South African government has strongly rejected these claims.
After taking office in January 2025, Trump halted most global refugee admissions before issuing an order prioritizing white South Africans. Since then, the program has been used almost exclusively for this group, marking a major shift from its broader humanitarian purpose.
According to U.S. State Department data, about 4,500 South Africans have already been admitted in the first half of the 2026 fiscal year, putting the program on track to exceed its current cap.
Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Veprek confirmed that officials are reviewing whether to increase the limit, stating:
“We’re looking at the pace of resettlement right now and thinking about how quickly it’s going, and do we need to increase the ceiling for the current fiscal year as well.”
The refugee program, established in 1980, has historically provided protection to people fleeing war and persecution worldwide. However, under the current administration, its focus has narrowed significantly.
Interestingly, internal U.S. communications show that some South Africans admitted under the program have chosen to return home shortly after arrival. Reasons cited include family issues, difficulty adjusting, and concerns about long-term stability.
Despite efforts to scale up admissions including expanding processing facilities in Pretoria , the policy remains controversial, both domestically and internationally, as debates continue over its criteria and broader implications.
