Elon Musk, a South African-born Trump adviser, previously described South Africa as having “racist ownership laws,” citing alleged “genocide” against white farmers.
A group of white South Africans will arrive in Washington, D.C., Monday aboard a U.S. State Department-chartered plane to be resettled as refugees.
The move follows a second executive order by President Donald Trump, who had previously suspended the refugee program on his first day in office. The new order grants exceptions for “Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination.”
The South African government strongly objected. Deputy Minister Alvin Botes told U.S. officials the claims of persecution are “unfounded.” South Africa’s Ministry of International Relations said the decision appears “entirely politically motivated.”
Elon Musk, a South African-born Trump adviser, previously described South Africa as having “racist ownership laws,” citing alleged “genocide” against white farmers.
White House adviser Stephen Miller said, “This is race-based persecution,” justifying the exception. But critics argue the move reflects selective refugee admissions.
“If Stephen Miller suddenly supports refugee resettlement when it suits a political narrative, fine — but let’s not pretend Afghan allies don’t meet the same legal definition,” said Shawn VanDiver of AfghanEvac.
