How Trump Plans to Use Kenyan Workers for Refugee Mission in South Africa

President Donald Trump’s administration plans to use Kenyan workers for the Afrikaner ‘refugee’ project in South Africa.

According to a report by the Daily Maverick, South Africa is opposed to plans by the United States (U.S) State Department to bring workers from Kenya to assist with the processing of the Afrikaner ethnicity.

The publication reported that the U.S. State Department has asked the South African government to expedite visas for approximately 30 workers based in Kenya to provide assistance.

The Department of Home Affairs said the visa applications had been received on July 29, 2025.

Trump’s administration plans to settle the Kenyan workers in South Africa for around two years.

They will work until the resettlement window for Afrikaner “refugees” in the U.S is closed.

South Africa Govt Denies Reports

However, Government Communication and Information System spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said the subject was not on the formal agenda of the last Cabinet meeting.

Further, Mnukwa said no written submission was submitted for discussions in Cabinet.

In a statement on May 12, the U.S Mission to South Africa said the admissions for Afrikaners are consistent with President Trump’s executive order on addressing egregious actions of the Republic of South Africa.

“The Department of State is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security and Resettlement Support Center Africa (RSC Africa)  to consider eligibility for U.S. refugee resettlement for people who are of Afrikaner ethnicity or a member of a racial minority in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination.”

Also Read: Trump Slaps South Africa with Sanctions, Cuts Aid for 3 Reasons

Afrikaners Resettlement Plan Links to Kenya

Additionally, the Mission confirmed that the Afrikaner “refugees” are being processed through Kenya.

As of July 2025, the Department of State shifted all support functions to RSC Africa, which is operated by Church World Service and based in Nairobi, Kenya. 

U.S Mission South Africa said RSC Africa is a trusted partner of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) with over 20 years of experience and has no connection to the South African government. 

It stated that RSC Africa will be responsible for communicating with applicants and responding to applicant inquiries.

Also Read: Trump Frustrated as Judge Permits 500,000 Migrants to Remain in the US

South Africa Opposes “Refugee” Status

The South African government has opposed the plans to grant Afrikaners refugee status to travel to the U.S.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya dismissed the statement by the U.S Mission South Africa, stating that none of their citizens can be classified as a refugee.

“Therefore, our position is that there are no South African citizens who can be classified as refugees to any part of the world, including the US.  On the contrary, South Africa has been and remains a home for refugees from all over the world, in particular refugees from parts of our continent embroiled in conflict.”

Magwenya said President Cyril Ramaphosa told the US president about the true state of South Africa during a phone call conversation in April.  

“During the call between President Ramaphosa and President Trump, President Ramaphosa affirmed the truthful nature of the state of our country. He further affirmed that the information President Trump had been given was completely false,” Magwenya said.

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