Nearly 70,000 South Africans have expressed interest in relocating to the U.S. under a program offering refugee status to Afrikaners who are descendants of Dutch settlers.
The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (Saccusa) reported a surge in registrations following President Donald Trump’s February executive order, which cited Afrikaners as victims of unjust racial discrimination.
The initiative, with most applicants aged 25-45 and bearing Afrikaner or English surnames has fueled tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, particularly after South Africa passed land expropriation laws aimed at addressing historical inequalities.
Trump expanded the offer to all South African farmers in March, calling the country dangerous for them, and later cut U.S. aid to South Africa.
Diplomatic relations have since worsened, with the U.S. expelling South Africa’s ambassador last week.
