The first 49 white South Africans left Johannesburg on Sunday on a charter flight to America. They accepted President Trump's offer to move as refugees. The group includes families with children heading to Dulles Airport near Washington. They left from OR Tambo Airport with a police escort and will stop in Senegal to refuel. This marks the start of a program Trump created through an order signed on February 7.
Trump claims South Africa's Black-led government discriminates against Afrikaners. The White House says this fits the definition of why refugee programs exist. South African officials deny these claims completely. They say Afrikaners remain among the most economically privileged groups. Officials allowed the people to leave, but disagreed with the reasons behind it.
Some US refugee groups question why these South Africans move ahead of people from war zones. The Trump administration offers housing, food, furniture, and clothes to those arriving. The US also cut funding to South Africa, citing its ties with Iran. About 2.7 million Afrikaners live among 62 million South Africans. US officials say many more flights will follow.
Trump claims South Africa's Black-led government discriminates against Afrikaners. The White House says this fits the definition of why refugee programs exist. South African officials deny these claims completely. They say Afrikaners remain among the most economically privileged groups. Officials allowed the people to leave, but disagreed with the reasons behind it.
Some US refugee groups question why these South Africans move ahead of people from war zones. The Trump administration offers housing, food, furniture, and clothes to those arriving. The US also cut funding to South Africa, citing its ties with Iran. About 2.7 million Afrikaners live among 62 million South Africans. US officials say many more flights will follow.
