Washington, 31 October (H.S.): The Trump administration announced on Thursday a drastic reduction in refugee admissions to the United States, establishing a record-low annual cap of 7,500 for fiscal year 2026 and designating white South Africans as the primary beneficiaries.The new policy represents a monumental decrease from the cap of over 100,000 refugees per year under the preceding Biden administration.

According to a White House memorandum, the limited admission slots will be primarily allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination.

This move formalizes a policy direction President Donald Trump initiated upon taking office in January, when he effectively suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Despite this general halt, the administration has been making exceptions for white South Africans, a group the President has asserted faces persecution, a claim the government in Pretoria has consistently denied.

A first group of approximately 50 Afrikaners was resettled in the United States in May.The decision has elicited sharp condemnation from immigration and humanitarian groups. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, lamented the shift, stating on social media, Now it will be used as a pathway for White immigration. What a downfall for a crown jewel of America's international humanitarian programs.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar