Trump cuts U.S. refugee cap to 7,500, prioritises white South Africans

The Trump administration has drastically reduced the number of refugees allowed into the United States, setting the new cap at 7,500 for the next fiscal year. The figure represents a sharp drop from the 125,000 admissions approved under former President Joe Biden.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register on Thursday, the limited slots will prioritise white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, who the administration describes as victims of discrimination and land-related violence. Officials say the decision is “justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.”

President Donald Trump had earlier suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Programme in January 2025, citing national security and the need to reassess America’s capacity to resettle migrants. Thursday’s announcement formalises his long-held position that the U.S. must reduce foreign admissions to protect its citizens and resources.

The White House defended the move, saying it reflects the country’s sovereign right to determine who enters its borders. A spokesperson said the policy “balances compassion with practicality,” insisting that the decision does not undermine America’s humanitarian values but adapts them to current realities.

Human rights advocates, however, have condemned the action as discriminatory and politically motivated. They argue that prioritising white South Africans sends a troubling signal that race is now a factor in determining humanitarian protection. Advocacy group Global Refuge called the decision “a dangerous precedent that undermines U.S. moral leadership.”

The new policy has also drawn sharp criticism from international observers and U.S. lawmakers. Many say it abandons refugees from war-torn regions in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, who have traditionally found safety in the U.S. under the global refugee resettlement framework.

South African officials have yet to issue a formal response, but analysts predict diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria could deepen. Critics warn that the refugee cap and its racial undertone may further isolate the United States from its allies and erode its credibility as a defender of human rights.