Hundreds of African representatives who applied for refugee status in the United States under President Donald Trump's resettlement program for ethnic minorities have received notifications of ineligibility without the right to appeal.
Hundreds of African representatives who applied for refugee status in the United States under President Donald Trump's resettlement program for ethnic minorities have received notifications of ineligibility without the right to appeal.
These letters were dated June 30, 2026, and sent to applicants in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape, according to Rapport. They provided no explanation for the reasons for rejection. Many of those affected have already resigned from their jobs, sold their belongings, undergone vaccination, and completed orientation courses while awaiting relocation.
Chris Wyatt, a veteran of the US Army, commented on this resettlement program, suggesting that the number of rejected applications ranges from five hundred to a thousand. He links these rejections to past behavior or criminal records of the applicants, noting that issuing these notifications in batches required the completion of several complex legal procedures.
President Trump signed an executive order in February 2025 that provided for granting refugee status to ethnic minorities in South Africa based on the country's land confiscation legislation. The program generated significant local interest: over 67,000 people expressed interest through the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA), although this figure reflected interest rather than official applications.
By May 2026, approximately 6,500 South Africans, predominantly white Africans, had arrived in the US under this program. The Trump administration later increased the annual intake limit to 17,500 following a declaration of emergency, citing a 'refugee crisis' in South Africa. A representative from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Zach Kahler, confirmed that the program remains active and that all decisions are made individually. Kahler stated that the administration will always prioritize the safety and well-being of the American people, adding that individuals deemed ineligible due to public safety concerns or criminal backgrounds were notified accordingly.
The South African government consistently rejects claims of systemic persecution of Africans. The African trade union Solidarity has also distanced itself from the refugee program, insisting that Africans should thrive in South Africa rather than seeking asylum abroad.