First White South Africans Depart for US Under Trump Refugee Program

The first white South Africans under a Trump administration refugee program have left Johannesburg. 49 Afrikaners flew to the U.S. amid claims of persecution despite their privileged status since apartheid ended. Trump’s executive order addresses concerns over land expropriation laws in South Africa. The administration could admit up to 1,000 Afrikaners this year, while other refugee admissions remain largely halted.

A significant milestone occurred on Sunday as the first white South Africans, granted refugee status under a Trump administration initiative, departed from Johannesburg. According to a Reuters reporter present at the airport, a line of citizens could be seen with airport trolleys loaded with luggage, preparing for a trip to the United States. The chartered plane, funded by the U.S. government, carried 49 passengers, as confirmed by South African Transport Ministry spokesperson Collen Msibi.

Msibi noted, “The application for the permit [to land] said it’s the Afrikaners who are relocating to the USA as refugees”. The Afrikaners, a white ethnic minority with Dutch, German, and French ancestry, previously held political power during apartheid, an era marked by systemic racial oppression against Black South Africans. The flight was destined for Dulles Airport near Washington D.C. before heading to Texas, where twelve states have agreed to accept these Afrikaners, many of whom have relatives already residing in the U.S.

Questions have arisen regarding Trump’s decision to provide asylum to white South Africans. Trump, alongside South African-born advisor Elon Musk, has expressed concerns over alleged persecution faced by Afrikaners due to their race in a predominantly Black society. However, it is important to note that Afrikaners have maintained substantial privilege since the end of apartheid thirty years ago. They constitute only about 7% of South Africa’s population yet own approximately 78% of the country’s private farmland and possess wealth significantly surpassing that of Black South Africans.

In February, Trump issued an executive order aiming to resettle “Afrikaner refugees” facing what he described as “government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation.” This statement links back to recent South African legislation aimed at addressing historical inequalities perpetuated during apartheid, which Trump argues threatens to confiscate land owned by white citizens.

So, how many Afrikaners are likely to migrate to the U.S.? Reports from the U.S. State Department in March revealed that about 8,000 inquiries had been made by white South Africans regarding resettlement. The Trump administration has indicated that it could welcome around 1,000 Afrikaners this year. However, Msibi also mentioned that his department has not received applications for additional resettlement flights, showcasing the unique pace of this resettlement process compared to standard refugee applications that typically span several years.

Interestingly, this fast-tracked method for Afrikaners sharply contrasts with the near halt of other refugee admissions, following an executive order signed by Trump early in his presidency.

The departure of the first white South Africans under a refugee program established by the Trump administration marks a controversial development in immigration policy. Despite claims of persecution, Afrikaners have retained significant privileges in South Africa, raising questions about the motivations behind this program. As inquiries for resettlement surge, it highlights the complex dynamics of race, land ownership, and historical injustices in South Africa.

Original Source: www.dw.com