American Government To Process 4500 Afrikaner Refugee Applications Monthly

• The United States government is planning on processing more than 4,000 Afrikaner refugee applications, a number that is almost twice the originally planned number
• The Donald Trump administration announced in late 2025 that the government is prioritizing the applications of Afrikaners above those of other refugees from other parts of the world
• The US government also announced that it will be erecting temporary infrastructure in Pretoria to speed up the applications

Tebogo Mokwena, affiliated with Briefly News, covered local and international politics, political analysis, and interviews in South Africa for Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News during his 10 years of experience.

UNITED STATES — The US government said it will process 4,500 refugee applications from Afrikaners who want to apply as refugees for the US refugee programme. The number is higher than the 7,500 refugee cap the Trump administration set for refugees globally when it prioritised Afrikaners over other refugees.

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According to Reuters, a document the White House posted to a US government database on 25 February 2026 also announced that the government has awarded a tender to erect trailers on the property of the US embassy in Pretoria to fast-track the process.

It also reportedly explained that not fast-tracking 4,500 applications would be a failure to meet a Presidential priority. This was despite the government having halted refugee travel to the country in recent weeks. Reuters also reported that the target could result in administrative delays in Washington.

DIRCO slams US refugee policy

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) previously criticised the USA's refugee policy, which prioritised Afrikaners. The Department released a statement on 31 October 2025 and said that the United States' allegations of white genocide are widely discredited by reliable evidence. The statement observed that a programme designed to facilitate their immigration and resettlement as refugees is fundamentally flawed.

South Africans discuss the US's changed plans

Below are some reactions from netizens commenting on the news on Facebook.

Sydney Kumalo said:

"If the ambassador was certain about strengthening ties between the US and SA, then they must keep it real as the statement seems to contradict the refugee application arrangements."

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Eugene Bailey joked:

"Anyone leaving Cape Town for the US? I want your property, please!"

Ghaan Lesufi asked:

"But who takes over the farms or houses of these people?"

Julie Botha pointed out:

"Not only white South Africans. All racial minorities in South Africa can apply for the refugee program."

Nkosazana Radebe said:

"Some are happy here. They would have left with the first batch if they wanted."

Afrikaner in the US shares picture of free food

In a related article, Briefly News reported that an Afrikaner living in the United States shared food he received from the food bank. The gent is reportedly part of the group of Afrikaners who were accepted as refugees in the US.

The man shared a picture of the provisions, which included fruit, vegetables, and dairy products. The post sparked a conversation about the difference between accepting welfare assistance in the US and South Africa.

Source: Briefly News