The United States is preparing to welcome its first group of white South Africans, classified as refugees, as early as next week, The New York Times reported on Friday. The move comes under the Trump administration’s initiative to resettle members of the white Afrikaner ethnic group, marking the first instance of such a resettlement program.
Officials familiar with the plan told the Times that a special event would be held at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia to mark the arrival of the refugees. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is overseeing the effort, according to an internal memo reviewed by the newspaper.
The White House and HHS have yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter. Although the administration had initially scheduled the refugees’ arrival for Monday, sources indicated that the timing remains fluid, dependent on flight arrangements and the completion of necessary processing.
This resettlement program follows an executive order issued by President Trump on February 7, which directed the U.S. to offer refuge to Afrikaner refugees, claiming they are victims of racial discrimination. The executive order has sparked significant controversy, with critics, including South Africa’s Foreign Ministry, arguing that it overlooks the country’s complex history of apartheid and colonialism.
Trump’s order came after a suspension of all U.S. refugee admissions, citing security and cost concerns. This pause affected thousands of refugees, including those from Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who had already been cleared for entry but were blocked from entering the U.S.
The planned resettlement of Afrikaners has generated significant debate within both the U.S. and South Africa, with critics questioning the underlying motivations and implications of such a move.
