US President Donald Trump has increased the United States’ refugee admissions ceiling by 10,000 to allow more white South Africans to relocate to the country under a special refugee programme, according to a presidential determination reviewed by Reuters.

The document, according to reuters.com was signed on May 21, claimed that white South Africans of Afrikaner descent face an emergency situation due to what it described as “incitement of racially motivated violence” by the South African government and political groups.

President Trump, who returned to office in January 2025, had initially suspended refugee admissions from around the world shortly after assuming office. However, weeks later, his administration introduced a programme specifically targeting white South Africans.

The move has drawn attention as the administration has reportedly admitted only three non-South African refugees during the current fiscal year, while prioritising the relocation of white South Africans.

Trump had earlier set the refugee admissions ceiling for the 2026 fiscal year at 7,500, one of the lowest levels in recent history. However, government figures indicate that about 6,000 white South Africans had already been admitted by the end of April.

The latest adjustment raises the total refugee admissions cap to 17,500.

Reacting to the development, South Africa’s Foreign Ministry rejected claims that Afrikaners are facing persecution or systemic discrimination.

“The assertion that white Afrikaners, in particular, endure systemic persecution is entirely without foundation,” South African Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said in a statement to Reuters.

The White House document reportedly did not provide specific examples to support allegations of racial violence against white South Africans.

The refugee programme forms part of broader immigration and humanitarian policy changes introduced under the Trump administration.

South Africa’s apartheid system, which officially ended in 1994, enforced racial segregation for decades, separating citizens by race across schools, residential areas and public facilities.