President Donald Trump has slashed the U.S. refugee cap to just 7,500 for fiscal year 2026, the lowest since the 1980 Refugee Act was enacted. The current limit, set by President Joe Biden, stands at 125,000.
Trump’s administration said priority will go to white South Africans, claiming they face persecution under South Africa’s land reform laws. Critics say the move echoes America’s history of restrictive and racially biased immigration policies.
The White House confirmed that all refugee applicants will undergo strict vetting and require approval from top officials. Trump defended the policy, saying “people are fleeing South Africa for their own safety,” but rights groups call it discriminatory.
