Not all South African Afrikaners who applied for refugee resettlement in the United States have been successful, despite reports that more than 1,000 applicants from minority groups have already been approved.
The rejections have sparked debate and confusion, particularly among applicants who believed they qualified under the programme announced by US President Donald Trump in 2025. The initiative allows for the resettlement of up to 7,500 people from racial minority groups, but approval is far from automatic.
Living outside South Africa can disqualify applicants
According to US intelligence analyst Chris Wyatt, one of the most common reasons for rejection is that some applicants are no longer living in South Africa.
The refugee programme is designed to protect individuals who are currently facing persecution, discrimination or credible threats in their country of origin. Applicants who have already left South Africa and settled elsewhere are generally considered no longer at immediate risk and therefore fall outside the programme’s core purpose.
Wyatt explained that refugee status is intended as urgent protection, not a general migration pathway. If the danger is no longer present, eligibility often falls away.
Background checks play a decisive role
Another major factor is the extensive vetting process carried out by US authorities. Refugee applicants undergo background and security checks, and any serious criminal history or behaviour that raises red flags can result in automatic disqualification.
Character assessments form part of the evaluation, and even issues that applicants may consider minor can count against them during the review process.
No guaranteed appeal if rejected
For applicants whose cases are declined, options are limited. There is no full appeal process. Instead, individuals may request a review within 90 days, but only if they can demonstrate that a clear administrative error was made or if they can provide new, previously unavailable information.
If that review is unsuccessful, the decision is final.
Who qualifies under the US refugee programme
The US Embassy has clarified that only specific categories of South Africans qualify for this refugee resettlement initiative. Applicants must be South African citizens, belong to the Afrikaner community or another recognised racial minority, and be living in South Africa at the time of application.
They must also demonstrate either a real experience of persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution. Applicants need to be 18 years or older, or apply alongside a parent or legal guardian.
All applications are assessed after completion of the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) questionnaire, and approval is granted only after a detailed review by US officials.
A selective process, not an entitlement
While the programme has provided a pathway for many South Africans seeking protection, experts stress that refugee status is granted on a case-by-case basis. Meeting the basic criteria does not guarantee approval, and each application is weighed against strict legal and security standards.
As applications continue, the rejections highlight a central reality of refugee law: protection is reserved for those who can prove immediate risk, not simply those seeking relocation.
