Trump raises refugee cap by 10,000, but only for White South Africans

Source: USA Today

May 26, 2026, 4:46 p.m. ET


President Donald Trump raised the cap for how many refugees may be admitted to the United States by 10,000, but the only group that will benefit is White South Africans.

Trump raised the refugee cap from 7,500 to 17,500 for the fiscal year, according to an emergency order dated May 21. Those slots are only open to Afrikaners, members of South Africa's White minority.

The opening of 10,000 more slots for Afrikaners only is "justified by the grave humanitarian concerns and is otherwise in the national interest" of the United States, according to the order. "An unforeseen emergency refugee situation now exists due to recent increases in the incitement of racially motivated violence on the part of the Government of South Africa and leaders of prominent political parties in South Africa."

Trump has said Afrikaners are victims of "genocide," a claim that circulated in right-wing social media circles, bolstered by Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa. South Africa's government disputes that characterization and says crime statistics do not support the allegation that the country's White farmers have been targeted with race-based violence.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/26/trump-refugee-cap-white-south-africans/90264999007/