Post by : Rameen Ariff

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has announced a sweeping new refugee policy, slashing the number of refugees allowed into the United States to just 7,500 per year, marking the lowest cap in modern U.S. history. Under the new directive, priority will be given to white South Africans, a decision that has already sparked controversy both domestically and abroad.

According to a White House memorandum released Thursday, the limited refugee slots will go primarily to Afrikaners from South Africa and “other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their homelands.” The move comes amid President Donald Trump’s broader effort to restrict immigration and reshape America’s refugee system to favor selective groups.

“The admissions numbers shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa,” the statement read.

A Drastic Shift in U.S. Refugee Policy

The new policy represents a sharp reversal from the previous administration. Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. welcomed more than 100,000 refugees annually, focusing on humanitarian crises in regions like the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

In contrast, Trump’s directive reduces that figure by over 90%, essentially freezing refugee arrivals from most of the world. The administration justifies the move by saying it will “ensure that the program serves the interests of American citizens.”

A first group of 50 Afrikaners has already been resettled in the U.S., despite South Africa’s government repeatedly asserting that white citizens are not facing persecution. Pretoria has called the U.S. claims “inaccurate and politically motivated.”

Political and Humanitarian Backlash

Human rights advocates and immigration experts have condemned the decision as racially selective and discriminatory.

“This marks a tragic downfall for what was once the crown jewel of America’s humanitarian efforts,” said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council. “For decades, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program stood as a global symbol of compassion. Now, it risks becoming a vehicle for white-only immigration.”

Since its inception in 1980, the U.S. Refugee Program has resettled more than 2 million people fleeing persecution, offering protection regardless of race or religion. The new plan, critics say, undermines that legacy and contradicts the country’s founding values of equality and refuge.

Trump’s Hardline Immigration Agenda

The announcement follows a series of tough immigration measures introduced since Trump took office in January. Within weeks, he suspended the entire U.S. Refugee Admissions Program through an executive order, fulfilling a campaign promise to curb undocumented migration and tighten border security.

Trump and his supporters argue that the U.S. should focus on protecting its borders and ensuring that immigration policies align with national interests. However, analysts warn that such policies could deepen global distrust and damage America’s moral leadership.

A Global Reaction

The move has prompted sharp criticism from international observers. The South African government reiterated that no ethnic group in the country faces persecution, while human rights groups accused Washington of weaponizing refugee policy for political gain.

For many, the new directive symbolizes a shift away from humanitarian compassion toward a policy driven by ideology and race — a move that could redefine how the world sees America’s role as a safe haven.

As the fiscal year begins with these new restrictions, the once-celebrated U.S. refugee program now stands at a crossroads — one where compassion, politics, and race collide in a struggle over the nation’s identity and values.

#world news #Global News