First group of white South Africans arrives in U.S. under Trump's refugee plan

Newly arrived South Africans wait to hear welcome statements from U.S. government officials in a hangar at Atlantic Aviation Dulles near Washington Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025 in Dulles, Virginia. Dozens of white South Africans, also called Afrikaners, accepted an invitation from the Trump Administration to come to the United States as refugees. They say they are fleeing job discrimination and racial violence in their home country. Trump has halted virtually all refugee admissions for people fleeing famine and war but has created an expedited path into the U.S. for Afrikaners, descendants of white Europeans who created and led the brutal apartheid regime in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.

Newly arrived South Africans wait to hear welcome statements from U.S. government officials in a hangar at Atlantic Aviation Dulles near Washington Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025 in Dulles, Virginia.

Newly arrived South Africans listen to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar (R) deliver welcome statements in a hangar at Atlantic Aviation Dulles near Washington Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025 in Dulles, Virginia.

Newly arrived South Africans wait to hear welcome statements from U.S. government officials in a hangar at Atlantic Aviation Dulles near Washington Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025 in Dulles, Virginia.

An Omni Air International charter flight from South Africa to the United States lands at Washington Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025 in Dulles, Virginia.

Newly arrived South Africans listen to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar deliver welcome statements in a hangar at Atlantic Aviation Dulles near Washington Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025 in Dulles, Virginia.

People from the first group of white South Africans granted refugee status under U.S. President Trump's Refugee plan listen to welcoming remarks during a meet and greet event at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, May 12, 2025.

A U.S. State Department official helps people from the first group of white South Africans granted refugee status check in for a connecting flight, at Dulles International Airport, on May 12, 2025.

A boy from the first group of white South Africans granted refugee status holds a zebra stuffed toy, at Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025.