Trump's Refugee Offer to Afrikaners Strains -South Africa Relations

Over 67,000 Afrikaners have expressed interest in resettling in the U.S. under a controversial executive order citing alleged racial discrimination in South Africa.

• President Donald Trump issued an executive order on February 7, 2025, offering refugee status to Afrikaners and halting U.S. aid to South Africa over alleged racial discrimination and land seizures.
• The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA submitted a list of 67,042 Afrikaners interested in relocating to the U.S., though no formal resettlement process has begun.
• The South African government disputes claims of racial targeting and asserts that no land has been confiscated under the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024, which permits land seizure without compensation in the public interest.
• Diplomatic tensions have escalated, with the U.S. expelling South Africa's ambassador and criticizing its foreign policy, including its stance on Israel and ties with Iran.
• Critics argue Trump's refugee policy is racially selective, given his broader anti-refugee stance, while South Africa's land reform efforts remain a focal point of international scrutiny.

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