- a significant drop from the 125,000 limit
- the suspension was necessary to protect public safety
- Trump offered resettlement opportunities to white South Africans
The Trump administration has announced a sharp reduction in the number of refugees to be admitted into the United States, setting a new cap of 7,500 for the next fiscal year and giving priority to white South Africans.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the policy, published in the Federal Register on Thursday, marks a significant drop from the 125,000 limit established under former President Joe Biden and represents the lowest refugee ceiling in US history.
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Although no clear explanation was provided for the decision, the administration claimed the restriction was based on “humanitarian concerns” and “national interest.”
In January, President Trump signed an executive order halting the US Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP), saying the suspension was necessary to protect public safety and national security.
According to the notice, the reduced refugee slots would “primarily” benefit Afrikaner South Africans and others allegedly facing “illegal or unjust discrimination” in their countries.
Earlier this year, Trump offered resettlement opportunities to white South Africans, describing them as victims of persecution — a claim strongly denied by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government.]
Human rights and refugee advocacy groups have condemned the move as discriminatory and contrary to American values. Global Refuge CEO Krish O’Mara Vignarajah said the policy “undermines the credibility and purpose of the refugee programme.”
Refugees International also criticised the administration, saying the measure “makes a mockery of refugee protection” and unjustly excludes vulnerable people from other crisis regions such as Afghanistan, Sudan, and Venezuela.
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