SA White Afrikaners land in US, but Episcopal Church says ‘not in our pews'

IOL News

13-05-2025

After nearly 40 years and 110,000 refugees served, the Episcopal Church ends its role in the US refugee program over what it calls racially biased resettlement priorities.
Image: SAUL LOEB/AFP
The Episcopal Church just cut ties with the United States government on refugee work, turns out they weren't too keen on helping resettle White Afrikaners from South Africa, a move approved under President Donald Trump.
In a statement, the church confirmed that it is terminating its partnership with the US government to resettle refugees over moral objections.
'I am writing today with some significant news about Episcopal Migration Ministries, the organisation that leads The Episcopal Church's refugee resettlement ministry," began a letter by the church's Reverend Sean Rowe.
'Since January, the previously bipartisan US Refugee Admissions Program in which we participate has essentially shut down. Virtually no new refugees have arrived, hundreds of staff in resettlement agencies around the country have been laid off, and funding for resettling refugees who have already arrived has been uncertain,' Rowe said.
The individuals, including children waving American flags, were welcomed Monday at Dulles International Airport outside Washington by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar.
'I want you all to know that you are really welcome here and that we respect what you have had to deal with these last few years,' Landau said.
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The arrivals follow a decision by Trump's administration to grant refugee status to white South Africans after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Act into law earlier this year.
The act enables land reform without compensation, a move Trump criticised, subsequently pulling more than $400 million in US aid to South Africa.
Rowe said the federal government recently informed Episcopal Migration Ministries that it is expected to begin resettling white Afrikaners under the terms of its federal grant.
'In light of our church's steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation, and our historic ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, we are not able to take this step,' he wrote.
'Accordingly, we have determined that, by the end of the federal fiscal year, we will conclude our refugee resettlement grant agreements with the US government.'
He emphasised the church's concerns over preferential treatment being given to a specific group of refugees.
'It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others who have been waiting in refugee camps or dangerous conditions for years,' Rowe wrote.
'I am saddened and ashamed that many of the refugees who are being denied entrance to the United States are brave people who worked alongside our military in Iraq and Afghanistan and now face danger at home because of their service to our country.'
'I also grieve that victims of religious persecution, including Christians, have not been granted refuge in recent months,' he added.
For nearly 40 years, Rowe said Episcopal Migration Ministries has participated in federally funded refugee resettlement, helping nearly 110,000 people from countries including Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Myanmar.
'Now that we are ending our involvement in federally funded refugee resettlement, we have asked the administration to work toward a mutual agreement that will allow us to wind down all federally funded services by the end of the federal fiscal year in September,' Rowe said.
'We are working with the affected staff members to provide extensive outplacement services and severance packages.
Rowe said the church will continue to serve migrants in other ways
'No change in political fortunes alters our commitment to stand with the world's most vulnerable people,' he said.
'Jesus tells us to care for the poor and vulnerable as we would care for him, and we must follow that command,' Rowe added.
Earlier, IOL News reported that the Trump administration welcomed the 49 Afrikaners who landed in the US on Monday at Dulles Airport outside Washington after they were granted asylum status following claims that they faced discrimination and violence in South Africa.
The group, which included children who were waving small American flags, was welcomed by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar.
'I want you all to know that you are really welcome here and that we respect what you have had to deal with these last few years,' said Landau.
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