US set to welcome white Afrikaner refugees as emigration move invokes mixed feelings

In a controversial turn of events, US officials from the Departments of State and Homeland Security are preparing to welcome 49 white Afrikaners to Washington, DC, as refugees starting May 12.

According to reports, US officials were trying to arrange a charter flight to land at Dulles International Airport, with commercial flights being assessed as an alternative.

A total of 54 individuals initially applied for asylum, but five were red-flagged due to criminal records. The decision, which has stirred both support and outrage within South Africa, comes amid growing concerns over the legitimacy of their claims, as critics argue that South Africa does not meet the conditions that would warrant refugee protection for any ethnic or political group.

This comes in the wake of the migration of 49 Afrikaners to the US, sparking a national debate.

Political analyst Sandile Swana has raised concerns, questioning the legitimacy of their asylum claims and emphasising that refugee status requires evidence-based grounds proving individuals can't remain in their country of origin.

"For somebody to be an asylum seeker or a refugee, there must be an evidence-based assessment that shows that the person has legitimate grounds, making it impossible for them to remain in the country of their origin."

He explained that in Africa, there are several regions, such as Eritrea, the DRC, and Sudan, where refugees come to South Africa to escape clear and well-documented dangers.

However, in South Africa, there are no such threats targeting a particular ethnic group, especially the white Afrikaners, or individuals based on their political or religious beliefs.

Swana also remarked that the Trump administration's political agenda seems focused on promoting a Western white Christian civilisation.

He explained, "They appear to be working to reduce the population of Hispanics and others who don't fit within this group, while increasing the number of those who align with this Western white Christian ideal.

''As a result, people outside of this group are being expelled from the US, while white Afrikaners, who claim to share this philosophy, are being brought in under misleading reasons to perpetuate the idea that whites, particularly those who feel oppressed, are being victimised."

He reiterated that this is a political maneuver aimed at painting the South African government, along with specific political parties like the EFF and ANC, as racist and targeting whites in South Africa. However, the evidence contradicts this narrative.

"No South African, regardless of their complexion, hair texture, eye colour, or religious background, deserves refugee status anywhere on Earth at this time. This move seeks to falsely accuse the government and certain political parties of unconstitutional actions, which is simply untrue. There is no evidence to suggest that anyone, regardless of their background, is being targeted unconstitutionally," Swana said.

The Star spoke to two of the asylum seekers, who revealed that their decision to seek refuge in the US was fuelled by desperation, driven by hunger and an overwhelming sense of disillusionment with life in South Africa.

Kirsten Van Der Vententer shared, "I'm waiting to go because I have nothing left in this country. I can't even afford bread. My children are hungry."

Meisie Tonder expressed, "I don't have to go! My husband is not happy here, so we will wait to leave. We don’t know what the future holds."

IOL previously reported that US President Donald Trump suspended the country's refugee resettlement programme on his first day in office in January, leaving more than 100 000 people, already approved for resettlement, stranded after fleeing war and persecution in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan.

However, in February, Trump signed an executive order instructing his administration to grant refugee status to Afrikaners — descendants of Dutch and French colonisers — whom he claimed were being discriminated against in South Africa.

Elon Musk, a prominent adviser to former President Trump and CEO of Tesla, has made headlines by criticising South Africa's Expropriation Act. This comes in the wake of Trump’s decision to cut off foreign aid to the country, where about 3 million Afrikaners reside.

Meanwhile, Trum took to his X account to unveil a controversial self-deportation programme, offering cash incentives and free plane tickets to migrants willing to leave the U.S. voluntarily.

"Today, I signed an Executive Order to launch the first-ever self-deportation program. Illegal aliens who stay in America face punishments, including sudden deportation, in a place and manner solely of our discretion. TO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS: BOOK YOUR FREE FLIGHT RIGHT NOW!" The tweet reads.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za