The Trump administration wants to admit up to 17,500 Afrikaner refugees from South Africa to the United States in the 2026 fiscal year, according to reports citing a State Department notice sent to Congress.

The proposed increase follows President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that white farmers face persecution and “genocide” in South Africa. The South African government has rejected those claims, saying there is no policy targeting white citizens.

US pushes higher cap for Afrikaner refugees

The Associated Press reported that the State Department told Congress it plans to admit up to 17,500 Afrikaners as refugees before the fiscal year ends in September 2026. That would add up to 10,000 more people to the earlier ceiling of 7,500.

The Daily Voice, citing CNN, reported that the administration described the move as an “emergency” determination. The report said the document argued that “grave humanitarian concerns” justified the higher number.

The earlier FY2026 refugee ceiling was published in the Federal Register on 31 October 2025. It set admissions at up to 7,500 refugees and said numbers would be “primarily” allocated to Afrikaners from South Africa under Executive Order 14204.

Under US law, the administration must inform and consult Congress on refugee admissions. AP reported that officials were expected to meet lawmakers as part of that process.

Trump order placed South Africa at centre of refugee policy

Trump’s Executive Order 14204, issued in February 2025, directed US officials to prioritise refugee resettlement for Afrikaners in South Africa who are described by the order as victims of “unjust racial discrimination.” The order also moved to halt US aid to South Africa, with exceptions allowed by agency heads.

The latest push has deepened diplomatic tension between Washington and Pretoria. AP reported that the State Department notice cited South African government rhetoric and a December incident involving a US refugee processing centre as reasons for the “emergency refugee situation.”

Trump has repeatedly alleged that white farmers are being killed and that land is being confiscated. However, South African officials and independent reporting have challenged that claim.

Reuters, carried by SABC News, reported in May 2025 that South African police recorded 26,232 murders in 2024. Of those, 44 were linked to farming communities, and eight victims were farmers. The report said the data did not support the claim of genocide against white farmers.

South Africa rejects genocide claims

President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected Trump’s claims during a tense Oval Office meeting in May 2025. AP reported that Ramaphosa said South Africa was “completely opposed” to the conduct Trump referenced and said it was not government policy.

South Africa has one of the world’s highest violent crime rates, but the government says crime affects communities across race groups. Experts cited by AP also said there was no evidence that white South Africans were being targeted because of their race.

The State Department estimated the additional 10,000 refugee places would cost about $100 million, according to AP. The White House and State Department had not issued further public comment in the Daily Voice report.