US admits 16,287 refugees from South Africa in 2026, most admissions from one country

According to data reported by Axios journalist Josephine Walker and cited by amsterdamnews.com, the United States admitted 16,292 refugees in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. Of those, 16,287 were from South Africa, representing over 99.9% of all admissions.

This marks a significant shift from fiscal year 2024, when the US admitted 100,060 refugees from various countries worldwide. The sharp decline and concentration on one group reflect a change in refugee policy under President Donald Trump.

The administration initially set a refugee ceiling of 7,500 for fiscal year 2026 but later increased it to 17,500 to accommodate more South African Afrikaners. For fiscal year 2027, the ceiling remains at 17,500, with admissions primarily allocated to Afrikaners from South Africa, as stated in official presidential determinations.

The White House justifies this focus by citing humanitarian concern for white Afrikaners facing discrimination and threats in post-apartheid South Africa. However, the South African government and independent researchers have rejected claims of a white genocide campaign against Afrikaners, noting that crime and violence in South Africa do not amount to genocide.

Critics question why nearly all refugee slots are reserved for one group when others, such as Sudanese families, also face persecution and could qualify for protection. The policy raises questions about the role of race in determining refugee admissions under current US policy.