United States President Donald Trump has announced the lowest refugee admission cap in US history, limiting entry to just 7,500 people for the 2026 fiscal year, and prioritizing white Afrikaners from South Africa — a move that immigration advocates and human rights groups have condemned as racially discriminatory and politically motivated.
The decision was outlined in a presidential determination dated September 30 but released publicly on Thursday, formally restricting access to the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
White South Africans to Receive Priority in Refugee Admissions
According to the White House document, most of the 7,500 refugee slots “shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa pursuant to Executive Order 14204.” The order refers to “victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their homelands.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed that white South Africans face “racial persecution” in the Black-majority nation — a claim rejected by South Africa’s government and even some Afrikaner community leaders.
Under the new rules, refugee resettlement funding will also be consolidated under the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement, instead of being distributed to faith-based and nonprofit organizations as in the past. The White House said this change was intended to “ensure oversight and accountability.”
Lowest Refugee Cap Since 1980
The new figure of 7,500 marks the lowest refugee ceiling since the Refugee Act of 1980, which created the modern resettlement system. It represents a 94% cut from the 125,000 admissions permitted under former President Joe Biden in 2024–2025.
By comparison, more than two million refugees have been resettled in the United States since the program’s inception.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are currently over 42 million refugees worldwide — meaning the US contribution would now represent just 0.02% of global needs.
Critics Call Policy a “Downfall” of America’s Humanitarian Legacy
Immigration advocates have sharply denounced the move.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, argued on X (formerly Twitter) that the policy redefines the legal meaning of a refugee.
“Trump’s new determination calls for admitting people who wouldn’t meet the definition of refugee — someone who faces persecution on race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion,” he wrote.
“Now it will be used as a pathway for white immigration. What a downfall for a crown jewel of America’s humanitarian programs.”
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) said the president had failed to consult Congress, as required under the Refugee Act.
“Today’s announcement highlights how far this administration has gone in abandoning displaced people worldwide,” said Sharif Aly, IRAP’s president.
Critics Decry Politicization of Refugee Policy
Human rights organizations described the decision as a political maneuver aimed at reshaping the refugee program along racial and ideological lines.
Trump’s administration has already suspended refugee admissions multiple times since his return to office and has redirected US aid away from African nations — including cutting assistance to South Africa earlier this year under Executive Order 14204, which accused the government of showing “shocking disregard” for Afrikaners.
The first group of white South Africans admitted under the new program reportedly arrived in May 2025.
Historic Contrast and Humanitarian Implications
The drastic cut reverses decades of bipartisan support for US refugee programs, which historically prioritized victims of war, ethnic cleansing, and persecution.
Many lawmakers had urged Trump to maintain higher caps, especially to accommodate Afghan allies and Ukrainian refugees, but those pleas were ignored.
In his announcement, Trump justified the 7,500 limit as “necessary for national interest” but did not provide further explanation.
“America’s refugee program was built to reflect our values,” IRAP said in a statement. “Closing the door to those fleeing violence represents thousands of missed opportunities for communities and local economies.”
Context: A Shift in U.S. Refugee Policy
Trump’s stance marks a sharp break from traditional US humanitarian commitments. During his first term, refugee admissions were slashed to 15,000, then restored to 125,000 under President Biden.
By cutting the number again — and adding a racial preference clause — Trump has reignited debate over the purpose and ethics of America’s refugee system.
Advocates warn that the move could damage US global credibility and undermine international refugee protections, as other nations may follow suit in narrowing asylum criteria.
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