Trump Signs Order for White Afrikaner Refugee Resettlement Amid Controversy
President Trump has restricted the U.S. refugee program but signed an order offering expedited resettlement to white Afrikaners from South Africa, drawing significant criticism.
President Donald Trump has significantly limited the U.S. refugee resettlement program since returning to office last month. However, he recently made an exception for a particular group of individuals.
On Friday, Trump signed an executive order that criticized South Africa's new land expropriation law. This law aims to address the lingering injustices stemming from the country's apartheid regime. According to The Associated Press, the law permits the government to reclaim land in instances where it is underutilized or where redistribution serves the public interest.
Trump's executive order took a strong stance against the policy. He stated, "As long as South Africa continues to support bad actors on the world stage and allows violent attacks on innocent disfavored minority farmers, the United States will stop aid and assistance to the country." This statement also addressed South Africa's involvement in the International Criminal Court investigation concerning Israel.
The order further announced that an expedited refugee resettlement policy would be established for white Afrikaners, the group that governed South Africa during apartheid.
Elon Musk, a tech billionaire and close advisor to Trump, immigrated to the United States from South Africa and has been outspoken against the country's land policy. Trump's reference to "violent attacks" on white farmers resonates with a narrative promoted by him and others on the American right, suggesting a conspiracy against white individuals in South Africa.
Social media users swiftly criticized Trump's decision. National affairs editor for Australian network 10 News First, Hugh Riminton, remarked, "#DonaldTrump announces that white Afrikaners, the architects and chief beneficiaries of South Africa's racist apartheid policies 1948-1994 will be given urgent access to refugee resettlement problems in the United States."
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee deputy director George Clark pointed out the disparity by stating, "White Afrikaners getting to jump in line while Venezuelans are getting their TPS status revoked... Hard to think of a clearer picture!"
Democratic strategist Matt McDermott called for the press to label Trump appropriately, stating, "When Donald Trump ceases all refugee resettlement, but makes an explicit exemption for white supremacists, it's time the press call him what he is: an avowed racist."
