The administration of US President Donald Trump is proposing to increase the number of white South African refugees admitted to the United States next year.
An emergency decision sent to Congress proposes raising the refugee admissions cap for white South Africans, commonly known as Afrikaners, to 17,500 for fiscal year 2026, according to documents obtained by CNN.
Last year, the administration reduced the overall refugee admissions cap to 7,500, significantly lower than the previous limit of 125,000.
The policy gave priority to white South Africans while limiting access for many other refugee groups.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that “genocide is taking place” in South Africa, alleging that “white farmers are being brutally killed and their lands confiscated.”
South African officials have rejected those allegations, while CNN reported that it found no evidence to support claims of white genocide in the country.
The proposal states that Africans face “far-reaching government-sponsored race-based discrimination” and says the increase in admissions is justified by “serious humanitarian concerns.”
The document also mentions tensions between the United States and South Africa, including comments made by South African leaders and disputes involving American personnel deployed to the country.
Under US law, Congress must be consulted before finalizing the annual refugee admissions level.
