A US-funded plane carrying 49 white South Africans landed in Washington, DC on May 12. They were part of Donald Trump’s plan to resettle refugees.
Fleeing ‘Persecution’
Trump said these South Africans were persecuted because of their race. His administration fast-tracked their refugee applications. Normally, the US refugee process takes months or years. But Trump’s government made an exception.
The South African government denies any wrongdoing. They say these claims don’t meet refugee law standards. Critics argue that this fast-tracking is unfair to more vulnerable refugees who are still waiting.
A Controversial Claim
When asked about the fast-tracking, Trump said there was a “genocide” happening, targeting white farmers. “Farmers are being killed, and it happens to be white farmers,” he said. The US has long criticized South Africa’s land policies, accusing them of seizing white-owned farms without compensation.
South Africa rejects these claims. White South Africans make up 7.3% of the population but own most private farmland. In 2024, 44 people were murdered on farms, including eight farmers.
The UN Refugee Agency wasn’t involved in processing these refugees, unlike in the past. This has raised eyebrows among refugee advocates. They question the fairness of the process.
The BBC reported on this story.