DULLES, Va. — The US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) welcomed white South African refugees on Monday, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s comments regarding the “genocide that is happening.”
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar greeted a group of African families at Washington Dulles International Airport, which included many with young children.
59 South African citizens arrived, many of them waving American flags as they entered the hangar to meet Landau and Edgar. This marks the first arrival of African refugees to the US since Trump’s Presidential Order on February 7, which suspends foreign aid to the state and grants asylum to white minority groups.
In his order, Trump criticized various government policies that he believes dismantle equal opportunities related to employment, education, and business, as well as the hateful rhetoric that leads to violence against disadvantaged landowners.
After their flight, refugees recounted their experiences. Landau noted that these white South Africans, including some new arrivals, had been “victims of unfair racism” and “violence.”
The president has expressed his support for South African newcomers who have faced racial discrimination. Landau mentioned having spoken with some of the individuals onboard, noting the tragic accounts of violence they endured in South Africa due to biased law enforcement. He emphasized that the United States is dedicated to equal justice and a fair application of the law. Many of these individuals have lived in fear, experiencing grave threats to their safety, with some politicians in South Africa advocating violence against them.
Edgar also acknowledged Trump’s and DHS Chief Christa Noem’s roles in welcoming these refugees and highlighted the success of accepting individuals from other troubled regions in the past.
It was uplifting to meet these newcomers, hear their stories, and understand the challenges they’ve faced. They have gone through so much, and I’m hopeful that they can thrive here. My own wife fled Iran during the 70s, and I believe that the American dream is attainable for South Africans too. We’re eager to assist them in their new journey.
Trump addressed the topic of refugees during a White House briefing, expressing concern for those being killed. “We don’t want to see people being killed,” he remarked, mentioning upcoming discussions with South African leaders regarding the situation.
The President reiterated his concern, declaring, “But it’s a genocide that your media doesn’t want to report on. It’s horrifying. The farmers, who are mostly white, are being killed.” He criticized mainstream media for not covering the persecution of European minorities in Africa.
Trump concluded by affirming that he does not focus on race or other demographics but is aware of the troubling realities faced by people in South Africa.
