Latest news with #RefugeeAdmissionsProgramme
The South African
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Non-white South Africans express interest in refugee status
It's not just Afrikaners, white South Africans, or farmers who are eligible for US President Donald Trump's refugee status offer. And according to social media commentary, many who fall under the label of 'racial minorities' are also expressing their interest in making a new life for themselves abroad. The programme is open to 'persecuted' South Africans who are victims of 'racial discrimination'. Earlier this month, 49 Afrikaner 'refugees' arrived in the US under the Trump administration's Refugee Admissions Programme. Days later, the US Embassy issued a statement detailing the programme, which was extended to 'racial minorities' in South Africa. Despite initially being targeted at Afrikaner farmers and white people, US authorities have since included coulred, Indian, and 'mixed-race' South Africans. On social media, many who fall into this category have expressed their interest for various reasons, including lack of employment and being 'victims of racism'. @truthbetold: 'I'm Indian and I'd go in a heartbeat. Rather sleep overnight in a refugee camp than daily in fear in our own homes.' @sameshhairpersad: 'I would love to leave if they are giving us job opportunities. There is nothing for us here.' @mol: 'How do I apply? I am a qualified nurse and unable to get a job here in South Africa'. According to the US Embassy, applicants for the refugee programme must meet the following criteria. Be South African Be of Afrikaner ethnicity or be a member of a racial minority in South Africa. Must be able to articulate an experience of persecution or fear of future persecution. Applicants who met the criteria were encouraged to complete and submit a Statement of Interest form. In line with US President Donald Trump's claims of 'racial discrimination', applicants must prove that they have been 'persecuted' in their applications. In the Statement of Interest form, applicants are required to specify if the 'persecution' was based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, membership of a social group, or a fear of 'future harm'. Other questions included when the prospective 'refugee' would like to travel to the US, how many family members they would like to bring, and if interested parties have a valid passport. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Not just Afrikaners: 'Refugee' status open to 'racial minorities'
It's not just Afrikaners, or white South Africans, who are eligible to take up President Donald Trump's 'refugee' resettlement programe, the US Embassy announced this week. According to the administration, the offer is open to all 'racial minorities' in the country.. What exactly does this mean – and who is it referring to? This week, the US Embassy issued a statement detailing the Refugee Admissions Programme, which President Donald Trump signed off on. This comes days after officials in America welcomed 49 Afrikaners based on claims that they were victims of 'racial discrimination' in South Africa. However, the programme is exclusive to Afrikaners, or white people, for that matter. As per the criteria, applicants need to be South African and 'a member of a racial minority in South Africa'. Applicants are also required to prove that they are being 'persecuted', based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, membership of a social group, or a fear of 'future harm'. So far, 49 Afrikaners have taken up the Trump administration's offer of refugee status in the US. However, they are not the only minority in South Africa. According to official statistics, SA has over 62 million citizens, with the majority of the population being black South Africans at over 50.4 million or 81.4 %. The following are thus considered 'racial minorities', according to the 2022 census: Whites 4.5 million (7.3 %), Coloured 5.05 million (8.2 %), Indian/Asian 1.6 million (2.7 %) And 'Other' at 0.24 million (0.4 %) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Afrikaner 'refugee' programme: Criteria, applications latest
Since the first group of Afrikaners arrived in the US this week, many South Africans have been researching how to get into the refugee resettlement programme. Now, the US Embassy has revealed exactly how to submit applications and whether you qualify for the programme at all. This week, the US Embassy issued a statement about the Refugee Admissions Programme, which many Afrikaners, or white South Africans, have expressed an interest in. When it comes to eligibility, applicants must meet the following criteria… Be South African Be of Afrikaner ethnicity or be a member of a racial minority in South Africa Must be able to articulate an experience of persecution or fear of future persecution. Applicants who met the criteria were encouraged to complete and submit a Statement of Interest form. 'Given the volume of interest, individuals may not receive a response for an extended period', the statement added. In line with US President Donald Trump's claims of 'racial discrimination', South Africans interested in the refugee resettlement programme must prove that they have been 'persecuted' in their applications. In the Statement of Interest form, applicants are required to specify if the 'persecution' was based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, membership of a social group, or a fear of 'future harm'. Other questions included when the prospective 'refugee' would like to travel to the US, how many family members they would like to bring, and if interested parties have a valid passport. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
South China Morning Post
27-01-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Refugees in Hong Kong face ‘worst-case scenario' after US, Canada policy shifts
Refugees living in Hong Kong are facing a 'worst-case scenario' following US President Donald Trump's decision to pause the country's resettlement programme, just two months after Canada tightened its own rules, an advocate for asylum seekers' rights has said. Amid a slew of executive orders signed by Trump on his first day in office last week was a 90-day pause on the country's Refugee Admissions Programme that took effect on Monday. The news sent shock waves through the city's refugee community, many of whom had been waiting for more than 10 years to finally be resettled abroad. Hong Kong does not grant asylum, but ensures individuals are not sent back to their home countries if they seek help for being in danger until their claims are substantiated. Jeffrey Andrews, a senior social worker with the Christian Action Centre for Refugees, said that as soon as the order was announced his team began seeing clients come in panicked and distressed, some of whom were meant to fly out as early as this week. The community had already been facing uncertainties after Canada tightened its rules for its private sponsorship of refugees programme last November, Andrews said. Social worker Jeffrey Andrews has called conditions for refugees in Hong Kong dire. Refugees in the city have to be resettled elsewhere. Photo: Xiaomei Chen The move paused all sponsorship applications for groups of five or more people until the end of the year, with Canadian authorities citing a backlog of cases.
