A group of 49 Afrikaners has become the first beneficiaries of a US refugee program, departing from South Africa amid controversy. This decision contradicts the current refugee admission policies favoring those fleeing war and famine, raising criticisms from human rights groups who argue that Afrikaners are not a vulnerable group. While the Trump administration claims they face discrimination, the South African government has denied these allegations, arguing the resettlement appears politically motivated and questions its democracy. The administration hints at a larger-scale relocation effort underway for Afrikaners.
The Afrikaners, who included families with small children, left South Africa on Sunday on a chartered plane bound for the US, a spokesperson for the South African transport ministry confirmed.
The Trump administration has upended US refugee admissions policy, with the result that virtually all people fleeing famine and war in countries such as Sudan no longer have a chance of resettlement there.
Human rights groups and refugee experts have criticised the decision, saying that, unlike other groups, the Afrikaners are not vulnerable.
We reiterate that allegations of discrimination are unfounded,â the ministry of interior relations said on Friday.
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