The United States has set a new annual refugee admissions cap at 7,500, the lowest in the country’s history. According to a notice published in the Federal Register, President Donald Trump justified the decision citing humanitarian concerns and national interest. The admissions will primarily be allocated to white South Africans and other victims of discrimination in their homelands.

This move is part of Trump’s broader immigration overhaul and efforts to combat extremism. He has previously vowed to carry out a large-scale deportation and purge federal agencies of certain practices. In February 2025, Trump revoked the protected status of approximately 500,000 Haitian immigrants living in the US, citing concerns over violent criminals among migrants from Haiti and Central and South America.

At the same time, Trump expressed his desire to offer refuge to descendants of white settlers from South Africa, accusing the country’s black-led government of committing genocide. He also criticized South Africa’s land reform program, which allows for the seizure of property, mostly owned by white farmers. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa denied the genocide accusations and defended the land reform as an effort to address the legacy of apartheid.

The new refugee admissions cap marks a significant shift in US immigration policy. The previous cap was set at 125,000, and the reduction to 7,500 has sparked concerns among humanitarian organizations and immigrant advocacy groups. The decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for refugees and asylum seekers worldwide.

The US has a long history of providing asylum to those fleeing persecution and violence. However, the new cap and allocation priorities have raised questions about the country’s commitment to humanitarian principles. As the international community continues to grapple with refugee crises and migration challenges, the US policy shift is likely to be closely watched and debated.

The situation in South Africa has been a point of contention, with the US and South African governments holding differing views on the country’s land reform and genocide allegations. The US decision to offer refuge to white South Africans has been seen as a highly politicized move, with some critics arguing that it prioritizes one group over others. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the new refugee admissions cap will be implemented and what impact it will have on global migration dynamics.