The announcement, published in an official notice on Thursday, represents a steep decline from the 125,000 refugee cap set by former President Joe Biden, effectively reversing years of U.S. humanitarian policy.
No Explanation Provided for the Cut
The notice offered no specific justification for the decision but stated that the cap was “justified by humanitarian concerns or deemed to be in the national interest.”
In January, President Trump signed an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), claiming the move would help authorities enhance national security and protect public safety.
Previous Record Low Under Trump’s First Term
The last record low in refugee admissions occurred during Trump’s first term, when the ceiling was cut to 15,000 for the 2021 fiscal year.
According to the latest notice on the Federal Register, the new limit of 7,500 will be “primarily reserved for Afrikaner South Africans and others facing unlawful or unjust discrimination in their home countries.”
Aid to South Africa Suspended
Earlier this year, in February, Trump also suspended key U.S. aid to South Africa and extended resettlement opportunities to Afrikaners — white descendants of early Dutch and French settlers — citing alleged discrimination against them.
Following this, South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, was expelled after accusing the U.S. President of promoting “white supremacism” and “using white victimhood as a political dog whistle.”
Trump Alleges ‘Persecution’ of White Farmers
During a May meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump claimed that white farmers in South Africa were being “murdered and persecuted,” allegations the South African government has strongly denied, calling them unfounded and inflammatory.
Trump had earlier defended his refugee suspension on his first day in office, stating that the U.S. lacked the capacity to “absorb large numbers of migrants and refugees” without straining resources or endangering “the safety and security of Americans.”
Backlash from Human Rights and Refugee Groups
Refugee and human rights organizations have condemned the new policy as discriminatory and racially motivated, accusing the administration of undermining global humanitarian commitments and favoring refugees based on race and origin.
Advocates warned that the decision could damage America’s global image as a haven for the persecuted, calling it a “dangerous precedent rooted in prejudice rather than compassion.”
