The administration of US President Donald Trump is weighing an increase in the annual refugee limit to admit more white South Africans, according to officials and sources familiar with the discussions. This would more than double the current cap of 7,500. The move prioritizes Afrikaners amid claims of persecution, which South Africa's government denies.
US officials are discussing raising the refugee cap from 7,500 by 10,000 to allow more Afrikaners to resettle, three people familiar with internal planning said on condition of anonymity. President Trump paused global refugee admissions upon taking office in January 2025 and issued an executive order prioritizing European-descended white South Africans, citing race-based persecution in the majority-Black country.
Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Veprek confirmed on Thursday that an increase is under consideration. "We’re looking at the pace of resettlement right now and thinking about how quickly it’s going, and do we need to increase the ceiling for the current fiscal year as well," he said at an event by the Center for Immigration Studies.
The US has admitted about 4,500 white South Africans as refugees in the first six months of fiscal year 2026, which began October 1, 2025, exceeding pace for the cap set by Trump—down from 125,000 under President Biden. Only three Afghans have been admitted otherwise. Meanwhile, at least four resettled South Africans have returned home, including cases due to family issues or second thoughts.
The State Department has prepared to process up to 4,500 per month and installed interview trailers at the Pretoria embassy. Discussions also include other groups under the Lautenberg program.
