U.S. Sets Record-Low Refugee Cap of 7,500, Prioritizing Afrikaners

Historic Low Set for Refugee Admissions

The Trump administration announced on Thursday, October 30, 2025, a new refugee admissions cap of 7,500 for Fiscal Year 2026, marking the lowest ceiling in the history of the U.S. refugee program. This decision, which took effect with the start of the fiscal year on October 1, 2025, significantly scales back the nation's long-standing refugee resettlement efforts.

The announcement specifies that these limited spots will 'primarily be allocated among Afrikaners' and 'other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands.'

Context of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

Established in 1980, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) was designed to offer safe harbor to individuals fleeing persecution. The newly set cap of 7,500 represents a dramatic reduction compared to previous years. For context, the Biden administration had set the refugee cap at 125,000 for Fiscal Year 2025. The previous lowest cap was 15,000, set by the Trump administration in 2020 for Fiscal Year 2021.

Hours after taking office for a second term earlier this year, President Trump suspended the U.S. refugee program, citing concerns about vetting processes and strains on American communities. Weeks later, an exemption was made for Afrikaners, whom the administration described as 'victims of racial oppression.'

Prioritization of Afrikaners and International Reaction

The administration's directive explicitly prioritizes Afrikaners, an ethnic group in South Africa descended from European settlers, claiming they face racial discrimination in their home country. However, the South African government has vehemently denied these claims of widespread persecution or violence against Afrikaners.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from refugee advocacy groups. Organizations like Global Refuge expressed 'grave concern' and stated that the decision 'doesn't just lower the refugee admissions ceiling. It lowers our moral standing.' Critics argue that concentrating the majority of admissions on one group undermines the program's humanitarian purpose and politicizes a system traditionally guided by global need.

Implications for Global Refugee Resettlement

The administration justified the 7,500 refugee spots by stating they are 'justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.' This policy shift is seen as a continuation of efforts to dramatically scale back the USRAP, which has historically enjoyed bipartisan support. The decision is expected to have significant implications for the landscape of refugee resettlement in the United States, with many refugees who had undergone vetting remaining stranded abroad.