Workers Arrested
South African authorities arrested seven Kenyan nationals who were working illegally at a center processing US refugee applications for white Afrikaners.
Context
The Trump Administration launched a refugee resettlement program earlier this year for white Afrikaners – descendants of Dutch, German, and French settlers who now make up less than 5% of South Africa’s population – claiming they face persecution in South Africa. The South African government has rejected claims that Afrikaners face persecution, calling the accusations baseless. The dispute has contributed to deteriorating relations between Washington and Pretoria.
Center Raided
South African immigration officials raided the refugee support center on Tuesday and arrested seven Kenyan nationals who had entered the country on tourist visas and were working there illegally. The center is managed by RSC Africa, a Kenyan group overseen by an American nonprofit, and was handling refugee applications from white South Africans.
