The Trump administration is considering a sweeping transformation of America’s refugee programme that would prioritise white Europeans who oppose immigration policies, potentially offering sanctuary to supporters of far-right political movements across the continent.
Documents obtained by The New York Times reveal proposals submitted to the White House in April and July by officials from the State and Homeland Security departments that would slash refugee admissions to historic lows whilst giving preference to English speakers, white South Africans and Europeans claiming persecution for their anti-migration views.
The radical overhaul would fundamentally reshape a decades-old humanitarian programme designed to help the world’s most vulnerable people into one that critics warn favours predominantly white applicants aligned with President Trump’s political ideology.
Dramatic Cuts and New Priorities
Under the proposals, annual refugee admissions would plummet from 125,000 under the Biden administration to just 7,500. The plans specifically advise prioritising Europeans who have been targeted for peaceful expression of views online, such as opposition to mass migration or support for populist political parties.
That language appears to reference supporters of Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland party, whose leaders have trivialised the Holocaust, revived Nazi slogans and promoted anti-immigrant hatred. Vice President JD Vance has previously criticised Germany for attempting to suppress the AfD’s views.
Earlier this year, the White House condemned a decision by Germany’s foreign office to classify the AfD as right-wing extremist. A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the government is monitoring the political landscape in Europe to determine whether citizens could be eligible for refugee status.
South African Priority Already Implemented
President Trump has already begun enacting portions of the proposals before they were formally submitted, including granting priority refugee status to white South Africans. In May, 59 Afrikaners arrived at Dulles International Airport under the programme, with Trump claiming they face racial persecution in their home country.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vigorously disputed these claims, describing the far-right Afrikaners seeking refugee status as a fringe grouping who are anti-transformation and would prefer South Africa to return to apartheid-type policies. Police statistics in South Africa do not support claims of heightened vulnerability for white citizens to crime.
The move has sparked diplomatic tensions, with the US expelling South Africa’s ambassador in March. Relations have been further strained by disagreements over South Africa’s prominent role in the International Court of Justice case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Assimilation and Ideology Tests
The proposed changes would place unprecedented emphasis on whether applicants can successfully assimilate into American society. Refugees would be required to take courses on American history, values and respect for cultural norms.
One document states that the sharp increase in diversity has reduced the level of social trust essential for the functioning of a democratic polity. The proposals recommend the US welcome only refugees who can be fully and appropriately assimilated and are aligned with the president’s objectives.
The plans also call for imposing limits on refugee resettlement in communities that already have high immigrant populations, with the stated goal of avoiding the concentration of non-native citizens to promote assimilation.
Hundreds of Thousands Face Cancelled Applications
Under the proposals, Trump would cancel applications for hundreds of thousands of people already in the refugee pipeline, many of whom have undergone extensive security checks and received referrals from the United Nations refugee agency.
The plans would shift control of refugee vetting from the UN refugee agency to US embassies, giving Washington more direct authority over who enters the system. Enhanced security measures would include expanded DNA testing for children to verify familial relationships.
Fierce Criticism from Refugee Advocates
The proposals have drawn sharp condemnation from refugee organisations and humanitarian groups. Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, warned the plans would mark a profound departure from decades of bipartisan refugee policy rooted in law, fairness and global responsibility.
“To drastically lower the admissions cap and concentrate the majority of available slots on one group would mark a profound departure from decades of bipartisan refugee policy,” O’Mara Vignarajah stated.
Barbara Strack, former chief of the refugee affairs division at US Citizenship and Immigration Services during the Bush, Obama and Trump administrations, said the plans expose the president’s vision of true Americans as white Christians.
Afghan refugee advocates expressed particular dismay at the shift. “It tells Afghan allies, persecuted minorities and families still waiting in danger that their sacrifices and their lives matter less,” one advocate stated. “To now prioritise Europeans over them is not just inequitable, it is an unconscionable betrayal.”
Trump’s United Nations Warning
The proposals align with Trump’s rhetoric at the United Nations General Assembly in September, where he warned European nations their countries were going to hell because of unchecked immigration.
“You’re destroying your countries. They’re being destroyed. Europe is in serious trouble. They’ve been invaded by a force of illegal aliens like nobody’s ever seen before,” Trump told the UN assembly, directly addressing European leaders.
Legal Challenges Anticipated
Legal experts suggest the overhaul may face court challenges. A federal judge previously blocked an administration attempt to suspend the refugee programme entirely, ruling that whilst the president may limit admissions, he cannot nullify legislation passed by Congress.
The US is a signatory to the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which obligates member nations to accept those seeking asylum due to well-founded fears of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
No Timeline for Implementation
Administration officials have not formally accepted or rejected the proposals, and no timeline has been set for implementation. The plans remain under review by senior White House staff.
A State Department spokesman defended the review process, stating the department unapologetically prioritises the interests of the American people and implements the president’s priorities.
Meanwhile, Trump suspended refugee admissions on his first day in office and has directed federal agencies to study whether refugee resettlement serves US interests, signalling his intent to fundamentally reshape America’s approach to humanitarian protection.
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Image Credit:
President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — photo by U.S. Department of Defense / U.S. Air Force(DoD Visual Information Division), cropped, licensed under CC BY 3.0
