CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A group of 49 white South Africans left their country on Sunday for the United States on a private charter plane after being granted refugee status by the Trump administration through a new program announced in February.
The group, which included families and young children, was scheduled to arrive at Dulles International Airport near Washington on Monday morning, according to Collen Msibi, a spokesperson for South Africa’s transport ministry. These individuals are among the first Afrikaners, a white minority group in South Africa, to be relocated following an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 7. The order accused South Africa’s Black-led government of racially discriminating against them and established a program to facilitate their relocation to America.
The South African government denies allegations of persecution against Afrikaners. The Trump administration expedited their applications while suspending other refugee programs and halting arrivals from several countries, a decision currently facing legal challenges.
Critics have questioned why white South Africans are receiving priority over individuals from nations affected by conflict and natural disasters, as the refugee vetting process in the U.S. typically takes years.
The Trump administration alleges that the South African government is implementing racist policies, particularly through affirmative action laws and a land expropriation legislation that targets Afrikaner-owned land. However, South Africa refutes these claims as misinformation, emphasizing that there is no systemic racism against Afrikaners and no land has been forcefully taken, despite the passage of the controversial expropriation law.
The first group of Afrikaner refugees traveled on a charter flight operated by Omni Air International based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They made a stop in Dakar, Senegal to refuel before continuing to Dulles. At OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, they underwent police vetting before departure to ensure they had no criminal records or outstanding warrants.
Although the South African government disagrees with the relocation, it respects their decision and acknowledges their freedom to choose. Upon arrival at Dulles, they are expected to be greeted by a U.S. government delegation, including officials from the Department of Health and Human Services who have organized their resettlement.
According to White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, this relocation marks the beginning of a larger effort to assist Afrikaners in South Africa. He described the situation as fitting the definition of persecution and emphasized the race-based nature of the challenges faced by this community.
The HHS Office for Refugee Resettlement stands ready to provide support to the newcomers, including assistance with housing, furniture, and other necessities.
According to a document obtained by The Associated Press, expenses such as groceries, clothing, diapers, and other household items are included in the relocation plans for Afrikaners, which the Administration has identified as a priority. Afrikaners make up about 2.7 million of South Africa’s population of 62 million, which is predominantly Black. Despite claims of persecution, many in South Africa question the need for Afrikaners to be relocated as refugees, given their prominent presence in various sectors of society. Afrikaners play an integral role in South Africa’s diverse society, with many holding positions as business leaders and government officials. Their language is widely spoken, and institutions reflecting Afrikaner culture are prevalent throughout the country. The Trump administration has been critical of South Africa, cutting off U.S. funding due to perceived anti-white policies and accusing it of aligning with adversaries like Iran and pursuing actions against U.S. interests, such as supporting a genocide case against Israel. For more news on the Trump administration, visit https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump.
