Internal deliberations within the administration of Donald Trump indicate possible plans to broaden the refugee admissions system, with discussions centred on increasing resettlement opportunities for white South Africans in the United States, according to sources familiar with the talks.
Officials have recently considered raising the existing refugee ceiling of 7,500 by an additional 10,000 places, people involved in the planning told Reuters, as part of wider efforts to expand intake under the current programme.
These proposals build on earlier policy actions taken this year and reflect ongoing review of admissions for white South Africans within the existing framework.
The initiative, which gives priority to Afrikaners an ethnic minority group in South Africa was introduced after refugee entry programmes were temporarily suspended globally when Trump assumed office in January 2025.
By January 2026, an informal agreement between US and South African officials reportedly allowed the continuation of the programme, according to an internal summary cited by Reuters.
In February, the administration formally set a 7,500-person cap for refugee admissions for the 2026 fiscal year.
At the same time, internal projections indicated a possible monthly intake of up to 4,500 white South Africans, alongside broader modelling scenarios that placed overall refugee ceilings between 40,000 and 60,000.
Policy shift and capacity review
Established under the 1980 refugee law, the US system has historically provided protection for individuals fleeing persecution and conflict worldwide.
The current approach represents a notable shift, concentrating largely on white South African applicants within a more targeted admissions structure.
As of January 31, 2026, around 2,000 white South Africans had been resettled in the US under the programme launched in May 2025, although officials report that processing rates have recently accelerated.
At a policy forum, Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Veprek confirmed that an increase in the cap was being evaluated, stating that authorities were reviewing the “pace of resettlement” and whether adjustments were necessary, without offering additional details.
The issue remains closely linked to the demographic context in South Africa, where Black South Africans constitute the vast majority of the population, while white South Africans represent roughly 7%, based on 2022 census data.
Any potential expansion is expected to remain politically sensitive, touching on diplomatic relations, humanitarian policy debates, and broader questions about how refugee priorities are defined within US immigration policy.