Trump cuts US refugee cap to 7,500, prioritises white South African applicants

Trump administration cuts US refugee cap to 7,500, cites national security and resource concerns.

The Trump administration has sharply reduced the annual refugee admissions limit to 7,500, down from the 125,000 set under former President Joe Biden, marking one of the most restrictive refugee policies in recent US history.

The announcement comes as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intensifies its actions against illegal immigration. The new refugee ceiling will apply for the next fiscal year, according to a notice published in the Federal Register.

President Donald Trump justified the reduction by citing the need to prioritise national security, public safety, and resource allocation for American citizens. “The United States must ensure that refugee resettlement does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans or threaten their safety and security,” Trump said in a statement earlier this year.

In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending the US Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP), pending a review of its procedures. Thursday’s update effectively reinstates the programme but with a drastically lower intake cap.

The administration said the decision was “justified by humanitarian concerns and national interest,” though it did not elaborate on specific criteria for refugee selection.

Earlier this year, Trump drew international attention for his comments on South Africa, where he accused the government of failing to protect white farmers from violence — remarks that were criticised by South African officials and human rights groups.

According to the BBC, the new policy suggests that refugee slots may “primarily” be allocated to individuals “facing illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands,” including some Afrikaner South Africans.

The move has sparked fresh debate among humanitarian organisations and foreign policy experts, who warn that the policy could undermine the United States’ longstanding commitment to providing refuge for displaced people worldwide.