The Trump administration is eyeing a drastic reduction in refugee intakes, potentially as low as 7,500 for fiscal year 2026.
This would prioritize white South Africans from the Afrikaner community, according to insiders. The plan aligns with ongoing immigration crackdowns, including raids in cities like Chicago over the weekend.
Unfinalized Proposal Delays Notification
Details remain pending final approval and congressional notice, missed last week’s deadline due to the government shutdown starting October 1.
Sources note the figure marks a steep drop from the 125,000 cap under Biden. No refugees enter during shutdowns, exacerbating delays.
Shift Away from Traditional Priorities
The proposal diverges from historical norms, sidelining vetted refugees from war zones and famines.
Instead, it spotlights Afrikaners, whom Trump claims face persecution in South Africa, a charge denied by Pretoria.
Only 138 Afrikaners have arrived since May under a special program.
Advocates Sound Alarm on Bias
Refugee experts decry the move as favoritism. Krish O’Mara Vignarajah of Global Refuge warned it could skew a humanitarian program toward one ethnic group, undermining global responsiveness. “This risks turning aid into selective privilege,” she said.
Program Suspension Continues
Trump halted refugee processing on his first day back in January 2025, resuming only for Afrikaners via executive order.
Legal challenges and limited entries have left 128,000 approved refugees in limbo, plus 14,000 Iranian religious minorities.
Congressional Pressure Mounts
Democrats on House and Senate Judiciary Committees accuse the administration of defying law.
Senators Richard Durbin and others highlighted the plight of vetted refugees stranded in camps while Afrikaners bypass queues.
“This defies our values,” they stated in a letter.
Broader Immigration Context
The cap comes amid DHS’s aggressive enforcement, recruiting via social media to “reclaim national identity.”
Advocates fear it signals deeper cuts, stranding thousands fleeing persecution and ignoring America’s humanitarian legacy.
