An immigration expert, Ross Viljoen, has advised Afrikaners to exercise caution when considering President Donald Trump’s offer to move to America as refugees. Viljoen, the managing director of Visa Immigration SA, warns that life in a country where citizens have demonstrated hostility towards foreigners may present difficulties for Afrikaners.
Trump’s executive order, titled “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa,” aims to provide humanitarian relief, including consideration for admission and resettlement in the United States, to Afrikaners in South Africa who claim to be victims of unjust racial discrimination. However, Viljoen suggests that moving to a foreign country as a refugee carries risks and questions Trump’s trustworthiness, as he has not indicated how exactly Afrikaners would benefit from relocating to America.
Viljoen points out that only poor Afrikaners living in informal settlements, such as Munsieville in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, where job scarcity due to race-based laws is reported, might find the offer justifiable. However, established Afrikaners with large farms and established lives may be reluctant to give up their current circumstances.
Viljoen believes that Americans may view Afrikaners taking jobs as a potential threat, leading to a lack of warm welcome. However, Neil Diamond from the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA disagrees, stating that there would be no job scarcity for Afrikaners. Diamond, who currently resides in America to promote South African businesses, highlights welcoming Americans, business opportunities, and employment prospects. He suggests that those willing to work can build a life for themselves, but those unwilling to put in the effort may face similar economic challenges as in South Africa.
The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA has received numerous inquiries from Afrikaners interested in Trump’s offer. Diamond has referred these inquiries to the US embassy in Pretoria, indicating a level of interest in exploring the opportunity.
In conclusion, an immigration expert advises Afrikaners to carefully consider the potential challenges before accepting Trump’s refugee offer. While some believe that job scarcity and hostility towards foreigners may pose difficulties, others argue that opportunities and welcoming Americans exist. The decision to pursue the offer ultimately rests with individual Afrikaners, who must weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks and challenges of relocating to the United States.
