The decision by President Donald Trump to offer refuge in the United States to white South African citizens, known as Afrikaners, has sparked criticism both domestically and internationally, including a strong statement from Democratic Congressman Rubén Gallego, who stated on his social media that “there are Cubans with better asylum cases.”
Gallego's comment comes after the arrival, on Monday, of a plane with 59 white South Africans at Washington DC Airport, marking the beginning of a new resettlement program initiated by the Trump administration.
The president has defended this initiative by asserting that the Afrikaners face “racial discrimination” and violence in South Africa, and points to the land expropriation policies without compensation advocated by the African National Congress (ANC).
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, reiterated the government's support for newcomers: "As the president stated, Afrikaners fleeing persecution are welcome in the United States. The South African government has treated these individuals terribly—threatening to take their private lands and subjecting them to vile racial discrimination," he wrote on his official account.
Rubio added that the Trump administration "is proud to offer them refuge in our great country."
For legislators like Rubén Gallego, the program highlights a double standard in migration policy. “There are Cubans with stronger asylum cases than these Afrikaners,” he stated on his X (formerly Twitter) account, suggesting that the criteria for granting refuge in this case are more aligned with ideological affinities than with actual humanitarian needs.
In fact, the decision has reignited the debate over the closure of the Parole Program for Cuban doctors, a pathway that was shut down in 2017 for healthcare professionals fleeing overseas missions and state control from Havana.
Trump's measure has further strained diplomatic relations between the United States and South Africa, especially following the executive order signed by the president in February, in which he condemned a “large-scale slaughter of white farmers” and human rights violations against this community.
The South African government, for its part, has categorically rejected these accusations and maintains that "there is no persecution of Afrikaners," adding that police reports refute any narrative of genocide or systematic ethnic violence.
According to official data, in 2024, there were 44 homicides reported in rural areas, of which only eight involved white farmers.
Analysts and observers are questioning the humanitarian basis of the program. South African political scientist Ryan Cummings explained to BBC Mundo that “Afrikaners do not face collective marginalization due to their culture, race, or language” and that they continue to be situated at the upper end of the South African socioeconomic scale.
The conflict is also set within a broader geopolitical context, where South Africa has gained international visibility for its critical stance toward Israel and its denunciation of genocide before the International Court of Justice.
For some analysts, Trump's initiative aims to delegitimize a government that he sees as an ally of Washington's strategic enemies.
Since the signing of the executive order, more than 70,000 white South Africans have expressed interest in participating in the program, according to the South African Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trump's Asylum Policy and the Cuban Response
Why has Trump's decision to host South African Afrikaners in the United States received criticism?
Trump's decision has been criticized because it is seen as a political preference rather than based on humanitarian need. Legislators like Rubén Gallego have argued that there are Cubans with more urgent asylum cases due to political repression and lack of freedoms in Cuba, which is not being taken into account in the decision.
What is the situation of the Afrikaners in South Africa that justifies their asylum in the U.S. according to Trump?
According to President Trump, Afrikaners are suffering from racial discrimination and threats of land expropriation without compensation in South Africa, which would justify their reception in the United States. However, this narrative has been challenged by analysts who claim that Afrikaners do not face significant collective marginalization.
How has the South African government reacted to the accusations of discrimination against Afrikaners?
The South African government has categorically rejected accusations of discrimination and asserts that there is no systematic persecution against the Afrikaners. According to official reports, cases of violence in rural areas are not specifically aimed at this community.
What role does Marco Rubio play in Trump's immigration policy?
Marco Rubio supports Trump's immigration policies and has been an advocate for offering asylum to Afrikaners, arguing that they face persecution. Additionally, Rubio has taken on key roles in the administration, such as overseeing USAID, to align foreign policies with American interests.
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