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The first group of white South Africans has arrived in the U.S. after President Donald Trump’s granted them refugee status.
The decision to admit the Afrikaners, who are a minority in their country, came despite Trump cracking down on admissions of other asylum seekers.
Senior officials from Trump’s administration were waiting at the Dulles International Airport outside Washington D.C. to personally welcome the new arrivals on Monday.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar addressed the crowd of around 59 people, including children. Many of them were seen waving American flags.
Landau said: “Welcome. Welcome to the United States of America. It is such an honor for us to receive you here today. This is the land of the free!”
The Afrikaners who flew to the U.S. on Monday are claiming refugee status, saying they are being persecuted by their government.
But South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “A refugee is someone who has to leave their country out of fear of political persecution, religious persecution, or economic persecution. And they don’t fit that bill.”
Human Rights Watch described the decision to admit the individuals as a “racial twist in Trump’s cut-off of refugee admissions.”
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment outside of regular working hours.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
