White South Africans Begin Relocation to US Under Trump’s…

The first group of white South Africans granted refugee status under Trump’s program has departed Johannesburg. With a US-funded charter plane, 49 Afrikaners are relocating amidst claims of persecution by the black majority in South Africa. Despite Trump’s justification, many argue Afrikaners retain privileges post-apartheid.

In a notable development, the first group of white South Africans granted refugee status under a controversial program initiated by former US President Donald Trump departed from Johannesburg recently. Observers from Reuters reported a scene where white citizens, laden with luggage, formed a queue awaiting passport checks before entering the departure lounge. The flight, organized by the US government, carried 49 passengers, as confirmed by Collen Msibi, spokesperson for South Africa’s Transport Ministry.

Msibi also revealed that the application for the flight indicated the group consisted of Afrikaners relocating to the United States as refugees. Afrikaners, a white ethnic minority in South Africa, trace their roots mainly to Dutch, German, and French settlers. Historically, they played a dominant role during apartheid, a period marked by severe racial segregation and violence against the black population.

The charter plane, which was bound for Dulles Airport near Washington, was set to continue onto Texas. Earlier this week, US broadcaster NPR reported that twelve states had previously committed to accepting these Afrikaners, many of whom reportedly have family connections in the US.

The rationale behind Trump’s decision to offer asylum to white South Africans stems from claims of perceived persecution by the dominant black majority in the country. This stance has been supported by figures like South African-born Tesla CEO Elon Musk. However, critics point out that Afrikaners continue to enjoy significant privileges, holding approximately 78% of private farmland and possessing wealth that is vastly disproportionate to that of their black compatriots.

In early February, Trump enacted an executive order allowing for the resettlement of what he termed “Afrikaner refugees” facing government-backed race-based discrimination. This order directly references a South African law concerning land expropriation, which Trump asserts could result in the seizure of white-owned farms. The law aims to address historical inequalities imposed by apartheid.

As for migration numbers, the US State Department indicated that they had received around 8,000 inquiries from white South Africans seeking resettlement. This year, it is estimated that up to 1,000 Afrikaners could be admitted to the United States under this unique program. Msibi mentioned that there have been no further applications for additional resettlement flights so far.

This expedited resettlement process for Afrikaners starkly contrasts with the traditional refugee admission process that typically spans years. Notably, the Trump administration has virtually halted other forms of refugee admissions through an executive order implemented early in his presidency.

The recent departure of white South Africans under Trump’s refugee program marks a significant moment, particularly given the historical context of Afrikaners in South Africa. While the initiative aims to address claims of discrimination, it raises questions about the current socio-economic realities of Afrikaners versus the broader black population. As the US prepares to accept an estimated 1,000 Afrikaners this year, the stark differences in resettlement pathways for this group compared to others remain a point of contention.

Original Source: www.dw.com