In February 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new refugee program aimed at accepting Afrikaners from South Africa, a group of white South Africans with Dutch and French ancestry. Many Afrikaners, who had long felt victimized by what they describe as racial discrimination in their country, saw this as a lifeline. However, in recent months, dozens of applicants have been rejected, leaving many confused and disheartened. Trump had claimed that Afrikaners were facing a “white genocide” in South Africa, and his executive order expanded the refugee program to include people from “racial minorities.” The first 68 Afrikaners arrived in the U.S. in May, and since then, over 13,000 have been resettled, with more than 2,600 admitted in August alone. The U.S. also suspended its refugee program for people fleeing war or persecution, focusing solely on Afrikaners. Afrikaners were the ruling group during South Africa’s apartheid era, a system that oppressed the black majority while maintaining the wealth and safety of white people. After apartheid ended over 30 years ago, policies aimed at promoting black economic empowerment have helped create a black middle and upper class. However, black South Africans still face higher unemployment rates—nearly 38%—compared to 9% for white South Africans. Some white South Africans feel they are now the victims of racial discrimination, especially after incidents like the killing of white farmers, which the far-right has highlighted as evidence of targeted violence. While official crime data does not support claims that white people face higher crime rates, these sentiments have been amplified by figures like Trump, despite strong opposition from the South African government. In late June, Facebook and WhatsApp groups for Afrikaner refugees began circulating news that some had received rejection letters from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The letters stated that the applications were ineligible for further processing and could not be appealed. It is unclear how many people have been rejected, as USCIS did not release data on the total number of applications or rejections. One group, called “Hope beyond the Letter,” was formed to support those rejected, and had 311 members as of September 10. Some applicants sought more details through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), revealing that rejections were often due to criminal records or other personal issues. One applicant, a 64-year-old freelance TV professional, was initially recommended for approval but was later rejected because his ex-girlfriend had a marijuana conviction. He described the rejection as a crushing blow, saying he had believed the program was attainable. Another couple, Pieter and Liesl (not their real names), were conditionally approved as refugees last November but were later rejected after USCIS incorrectly assumed their daughter, a U.S. citizen, would be left behind. They had already sold their home and possessions in preparation for moving. Another applicant, a 67-year-old, was rejected due to a past incident in which he shot a black person in self-defense while working as a security guard. He said he was not charged because he did not break the law. A spokesperson for USCIS stated that the U.S. government prioritizes the safety of American citizens and reviews each case individually, though specific reasons for rejections are not disclosed.