Trump announces lowest refugee admission cap in US history at 7,500

"The US president says his country will prioritise white South Africans in the refugee process, in a move decried by advocates as blatantly political. Washington, DC United States President Donald Trump has announced the lowest refugee admission cap in the country's history, limiting entry to just 7,500 people for the fiscal year 2026. In a presidential document published on Thursday"

"Instead, priority for the 7,500 available slots would be given to white Afrikaners from South Africa. The admissions numbers shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa pursuant to Executive Order 14204 and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands, the document said. Trump has repeatedly said white South Africans are being persecuted in the Black-majority country, a claim rejected by South Africa's government and top Afrikaner officials."

"Thursday's filings also indicated that the Trump administration would narrow the groups that handle refugee services moving forward. Refugee resettlement grants and contracts that currently go to an array of public and private organisations will instead be rerouted to the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the Department of Health and Human Services. The transfer ensures better alignment of resources, oversight, and accountability [of] resettlement activities that take place entirely within the United States, a separate declaration said."

President Donald Trump set the US refugee admissions cap at 7,500 for fiscal year 2026, the lowest since the Refugee Act of 1980. Priority for available slots will be given to white Afrikaners from South Africa and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination under Executive Order 14204. The administration indicated the US refugee system will remain largely closed to millions fleeing unsafe conditions. Refugee resettlement grants and contracts will be rerouted to the Office of Refugee Resettlement in HHS to centralize oversight and accountability. South Africa and Afrikaner officials reject claims that white South Africans face persecution. Trump previously sought to suspend the US Refugee Admissions Program after taking office.

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