**Title: South Africa Criticizes US Refugee Program for Afrikaners as 'Apartheid 2.0'**
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has publicly condemned the United States' refugee program aimed at resettling Afrikaners, a white ethnic minority in South Africa, labeling it as “Apartheid 2.0.” His remarks were made during an African Diaspora Forum held in Washington, as reported by South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
Lamola's criticism centers on the notion that the US program, initiated by former President Donald Trump, provides preferential treatment exclusively to white South Africans while excluding individuals from other racial backgrounds. “Only white Afrikaners from South Africa are allowed to be refugees here. And all of you or any other race is not allowed. It’s a race-based policy, which we call the Apartheid 2.0,” he stated.
The Democratic Alliance, South Africa's second-largest political party, has expressed support for Lamola’s condemnation. The party urged him to take a stand against race-based policies domestically, advocating for economic justice and opportunities that do not categorize citizens by race.
Afrikaners are primarily Afrikaans-speaking individuals descended from European settlers, including Dutch, German, and French, who arrived in southern Africa from the 17th century onward. Historically, Afrikaner-led governments were responsible for instituting apartheid, a system of racial segregation that was dismantled in 1994.
The US refugee resettlement initiative was established by Trump through an executive order signed in February 2025. The order claimed that Afrikaners were facing state-sponsored racial discrimination, violence, and threats to their land ownership due to South Africa’s Expropriation Act. However, the South African government has rejected these allegations, asserting that the Expropriation Act is designed to rectify land inequalities rooted in apartheid, and that no private property has been confiscated under this legislation.
In May 2026, Trump expanded the initiative, increasing the annual US refugee admissions ceiling from 7,500 to 17,500, with additional spots specifically reserved for Afrikaners. This decision was justified by citing an “unforeseen emergency refugee situation.”
AfriForum, a South African organization advocating for the rights of Afrikaners, has lobbied the US government regarding the alleged discrimination faced by this group. However, the organization has stated that it does not possess information regarding the claimed emergency situation. AfriForum’s primary goal remains to create conditions that would enable Afrikaners to remain in South Africa.
According to figures from the US State Department, over 13,000 South Africans have been resettled in the United States under this program, even as the US has significantly restricted refugee admissions from many other countries. Applicants to the program must demonstrate a history of persecution or a credible fear of future persecution, and they are subject to security screenings. Reports indicate that many applicants have received rejection notices without detailed explanations, and these decisions cannot be appealed. Some denials have been linked to applicants' criminal records and concerns regarding public safety.
The debate surrounding the US refugee program for Afrikaners continues to evoke strong reactions both in South Africa and internationally, highlighting ongoing tensions related to race, historical injustices, and immigration policies. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how both the South African government and the US will navigate these complex issues.