First Group of White South African Refugees Departs for U.S. Under Trump Executive Order
- Victor Nwoko
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
A group of 49 white South Africans departed Johannesburg on Sunday aboard a privately chartered flight bound for the United States, marking the first relocation of Afrikaners under a controversial refugee program initiated by the Trump administration.
The group, consisting of families and young children, is expected to arrive at Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C. on Monday morning, according to South Africa’s transport ministry spokesperson Collen Mbisi. The flight, operated by Oklahoma-based Omni Air International, included a refueling stop in Dakar, Senegal.
This is the first organized departure of Afrikaners—descendants of Dutch and French colonial settlers—since the signing of a February 7 executive order by former President Donald Trump. The order accused South Africa’s Black-led government of implementing racially discriminatory policies against Afrikaners and established a special relocation pathway for them to seek refuge in the United States.
South African authorities have firmly rejected the claims of persecution, stating that accusations of racial discrimination, land seizures, and targeted violence against Afrikaners are false and rooted in misinformation. The government emphasized that Afrikaners remain among the most economically advantaged groups in the country, with many holding prominent roles in business, government, and civil society. Afrikaans, the group’s native language, remains one of South Africa’s official languages.
Despite this, the Trump administration has prioritized the relocation of Afrikaners ahead of refugees from war-torn nations like Afghanistan and Iraq, and countries devastated by natural disasters across sub-Saharan Africa. These decisions, which have included pausing broader refugee admissions, have sparked legal challenges and criticism from global human rights advocates.
At OR Tambo International Airport, the departing Afrikaners were escorted by police and airport officials. According to Mbisi, all passengers underwent vetting to ensure they had no criminal records or outstanding warrants prior to departure. The South African government reiterated that while it disagrees with the refugee designation, it respects the rights of citizens to leave the country freely.
Upon arrival at Dulles, the group is expected to be welcomed by a U.S. delegation, including the deputy secretary of state and representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is managing their resettlement. A document from HHS indicates the refugees will receive support for housing, groceries, clothing, and household essentials such as furniture and diapers.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said the program would expand as part of a broader relocation initiative. "What is happening to Afrikaners in South Africa fits the textbook definition of why the refugee program was created,” Miller stated, calling it “race-based persecution.”
The executive order also severed U.S. aid to South Africa and accused the government of adopting an anti-American foreign policy. Specific grievances cited include South Africa’s diplomatic ties with Iran and its decision to file a genocide case against Israel over the war in Gaza—moves Washington interpreted as hostile to U.S. interests.
South Africa’s population exceeds 62 million, with over 80% identifying as Black. Afrikaners account for approximately 2.7 million people, forming a significant part of the white minority. Many South Africans have expressed confusion and concern over the refugee designation, citing the continued presence and prosperity of Afrikaners in all sectors of society.
The flight marks the beginning of what the Trump administration previously described as a “large-scale” relocation plan, despite widespread criticism and legal scrutiny from domestic and international observers.
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