The recent discussions surrounding a potential U.S. refugee resettlement program for South Africans, particularly
Afrikaners, have sparked widespread speculation and misinformation. Colonel Chris Wyatt addressed the situation in
a detailed video, clarifying that, as of February 13, 2025, there is no official refugee program in place. Despite reports
and social media discussions, the only formal action so far is an executive order signed by President Donald Trump
on February 7, 2025, which initiated the process but did not outline any concrete implementation steps.
The executive order, titled "Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa," includes two key
provisions. First, it mandates the immediate suspension of U.S. foreign aid to South Africa, with the exception of
emergency humanitarian aid such as anti-retroviral medication. Second, it calls for the promotion of resettlement for
Afrikaners as refugees in the United States. However, the term "Afrikaner" was not explicitly defined, leading to
confusion and misinterpretation. Wyatt emphasized that "Afrikaner" does not exclusively refer to white South Africans,
countering claims that the program is racially selective.
Further clarification came on February 10, 2025, when the U.S. Embassy in South Africa issued a fact sheet that
replaced the term "Afrikaners" with "disfavored minorities." This update confirmed that the potential refugee program
could include White South Africans, Coloureds, and Indians who have faced racial discrimination. However, no details
were provided about eligibility criteria, application processes, or timelines for relocation.
The situation became more convoluted when the U.S. Embassy’s X (formerly Twitter) account posted a graphic on
February 12, 2025. The post reiterated that the issue was under review but did not introduce any new information.
Many interpreted this as an official announcement of a program, adding to the confusion. Wyatt urged people to
remain calm and not misread standard government clarifications as policy changes.
Another major source of misinformation involved the U.S. Embassy's travel advisory for South Africa. Some
individuals claimed that a new advisory had been issued due to the ongoing discussions about refugee resettlement.
However, Wyatt pointed out that the travel advisory was originally posted on November 7, 2024, and was unrelated to
recent developments. It was a routine Level 2 warning, advising American citizens to exercise increased caution due
to a rise in kidnappings.
Wyatt also debunked claims that this initiative is an asylum program, stating that asylum and refugee processes are
distinct under U.S. immigration law. Asylum can only be applied for within the U.S., whereas refugees are typically
processed abroad, often through United Nations programs. In this case, the U.S. government has not yet determined
how it will administer the refugee initiative, and any assumptions about the process are premature. The length of time
required for implementation remains unknown—it could take days, weeks, or even months, depending on the policy
decisions made by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
Amid the uncertainty, Wyatt encouraged people to rely on verified sources rather than rumors. He acknowledged the
hardships many South Africans face due to racial discrimination and violent crime but made it clear that his role is to
inform, not advocate for or against refugee applications. While he expressed sadness that many South Africans feel
compelled to leave their country, he also underscored the importance of waiting for official government
announcements before making any assumptions about what comes next.
Listen to this Blog
South Africa - News
Dispelling Rumors and Gossip on
U.S. Refugee Program for "Afrikaners"
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