A U.S.-funded charter flight carrying 49 white South Africans departed Johannesburg on Sunday, heading to the United States under a controversial refugee program established by the Trump administration. These Afrikaners, a white ethnic minority group historically linked to South Africa’s apartheid regime, claim they have faced racial discrimination, job denial, and violent attacks in their homeland. Their expedited resettlement marks a stark departure from the Trump administration’s broader refugee policies, which have largely halted admissions for people fleeing famine and conflict in countries like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The program was initiated just three months ago when President Trump signed an executive order granting refugee status to Afrikaners, accusing the Black-led South African government of racial discrimination against this community. This move came alongside a suspension of nearly all other refugee admissions and a cut in U.S. aid to South Africa. Despite the usual refugee process taking years, the Afrikaners’ applications were fast-tracked, allowing the first group to leave within a short period.
At Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, families with children quietly checked in for the flight, declining to speak to reporters as instructed by the U.S. Embassy. Police were present to prevent confrontations between journalists and the travelers. One passenger briefly smiled when asked if he would miss rugby, a sport beloved by Afrikaners, and biltong, a traditional dried meat snack.
The South African government has strongly denied claims of persecution, calling them “completely false.” Many critics, including refugee advocates and some Afrikaner leaders, argue that the program undermines the refugee system designed to assist the most vulnerable worldwide. They contend that the resettlement of Afrikaners, who remain a relatively privileged minority owning a significant portion of South Africa’s farmland, is politically motivated and exacerbates tensions between the two countries.
Land ownership remains a central issue fueling discontent. Although white South Africans constitute about 7 percent of the population, they own nearly half of the country’s farmland, a legacy of apartheid-era policies that excluded Black South Africans from owning prime agricultural land. Efforts by the South African government to redistribute land have faced challenges, including corruption and resistance from landowners. In 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a law allowing the government to seize land without compensation under strict judicial oversight, prompting fears among Afrikaners of losing their property.
President Trump has publicly supported the Afrikaners’ claims, inaccurately stating on social media that the South African government was confiscating land. His administration’s decision to prioritize Afrikaner refugees while suspending admissions from other crisis regions has sparked international criticism. Refugee organizations have condemned the policy as unjust, highlighting that many refugees from war-torn and famine-stricken countries remain unable to enter the U.S.
The arrival of the Afrikaners in the United States is scheduled for Monday at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., where U.S. officials plan to welcome them. The Trump administration has dispatched teams to facilitate their resettlement, providing housing, health services, and integration support. Over 8,000 applications have been received from Afrikaners seeking refugee status, with dozens already approved.
This development reflects a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and has deepened diplomatic strains between Washington and Pretoria. While the Trump administration accuses South Africa of racial discrimination and criticizes its foreign policy alignments, South African officials view the refugee program as a politically motivated attempt to discredit the country. For many Afrikaners, however, the move represents a chance to escape what they perceive as an increasingly hostile environment and to build new lives abroad.
