Wayne Lumbasi
The United States has announced a historic cut to its refugee admissions, setting the 2026 ceiling at just 7,500 people, the lowest in the country’s history.
The Trump administration said the new policy will prioritize white South African Afrikaners and other groups facing unjust discrimination, a move that has sparked fierce criticism and renewed debate over America’s role in global humanitarian efforts.
This announcement marks a major break from the long tradition of U.S. refugee policy, which for decades focused on helping displaced people from war-torn and crisis-hit regions around the world. Under the previous administration, the refugee limit stood at 125,000, allowing thousands from countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to rebuild their lives in the United States. The sharp reduction now represents more than a 90 percent cut, closing the door to many waiting in refugee camps and processing centers worldwide.
The administration has also transferred responsibility for refugee resettlement from the State Department to the Department of Health and Human Services, a change officials describe as part of a rebalancing of national priorities. The White House defended the decision, saying it reflects America’s duty to help victims of persecution while protecting its own social and economic stability. Critics, however, say the justification hides a politically driven move that favors certain groups over others.
Human rights organizations and refugee agencies have condemned the new limit as discriminatory and a violation of the Refugee Act of 1980, which requires the United States to admit refugees based on humanitarian need rather than race or nationality.
Groups such as Amnesty International, Refugee Council USA, and the International Rescue Committee have called the decision a moral failure, warning that it undermines America’s long-standing reputation as a safe haven for people fleeing persecution.
Legal experts have also questioned whether the administration properly consulted Congress before announcing the limit, as required by law. Many fear that the emphasis on white South Africans could weaken trust in the refugee program and set a dangerous precedent for selective humanitarian policies.
At a time when global displacement has reached record levels, the United States’ retreat from refugee resettlement sends a worrying message. With only 7,500 refugees to be accepted next year, America’s once strong leadership in humanitarian protection is at risk of fading, reshaping the country’s moral image and influence on the world stage.
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