US Refugee Admissions Cut to 7,500, Focus on White South Africans

Fri Oct 31 2025 00:13:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Trump administration has announced a significant reduction in refugee admissions for the upcoming fiscal year, specifying that the majority of the applicants will be white South Africans. What does this mean for global humanitarian efforts?

In a move that has raised eyebrows, the Trump administration is reducing the cap on refugee admissions to just 7,500 for the 2026 fiscal year. This marks a stark decline from the 125,000 set under the Biden administration. The announcement made on Thursday highlights that most of the admitted refugees will be white South Africans, a decision framed as being in line with 'humanitarian concerns' but lacking clear justification. As the global refugee crisis continues, this new policy could have significant implications for those fleeing persecution and conflict.

In a recent announcement, the Trump administration revealed plans to limit the number of refugees allowed into the United States to just 7,500 during the 2026 fiscal year. This decision marks a striking drop from the previous year's ceiling of 125,000 refugees set under the Biden administration.

The policy indicates that the majority of those refugees will be white South Africans, sparking debate and concern among humanitarian groups and advocates for refugees worldwide. The announcement was documented in the Federal Registry, but it came without a detailed explanation for this significant decrease.

Critics highlight that this move could further undermine America's historical commitment to providing sanctuary to individuals fleeing war, persecution, and violence. The memo accompanying the decision cited 'humanitarian concerns' and national interest as the reasons behind the limited admissions, but many are questioning the adequacy of these justifications in a time of increasing global displacement.

The change in policy raises questions about the future of refugee programs in the U.S. and the impact on vulnerable populations worldwide, especially as the global refugee crisis continues to worsen.