This development comes amid ongoing concerns over land reform policies, which have significantly impacted some South African farmers and, according to some, have led to unsafe living conditions—a situation that President Trump has previously criticized.
Trump’s offer has sparked debates on both sides, with some viewing it as a humanitarian gesture, while others see it as politically motivated.
The growing interest in asylum underscores the deep-rooted tensions surrounding land ownership, economic challenges, and security issues in South Africa.
Over 60,000 South Africans apply
The BBC reports that the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA) says more than 60,000 South Africans have expressed interest in moving to the U.S. following Washington’s offer to resettle members of the country’s Afrikaner community.
SACCUSA stated that its website received tens of thousands of registrations from individuals seeking more information about President Donald Trump’s asylum offer.
According to the organization’s president, Neil Diamond, the list of interested individuals—totaling approximately 67,042—mostly consisted of people with Afrikaner or English names.
This list has been handed over to the U.S. embassy in Pretoria.
An embassy official confirmed to the BBC that it had received the list. Additionally, SACCUSA revealed that most of those who expressed interest in migrating were between the ages of 25 and 45 and had between two and three dependents.
Trump’s open offer for South African farmers
US President Donald Trump’s asylum offer to distressed South African farmers has sparked significant attention.
The initiative aims to provide a safe haven for farmers who feel threatened by land reform policies and violence in South Africa. This development comes amid escalating tensions between South Africa and the US.
In January, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a bill into law allowing the state to seize land without compensation if deemed in the “public interest.”
This move followed years of calls for land reform, with activists and politicians advocating for the redistribution of farmland from the white minority.
Trump’s asylum offer has been met with mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a humanitarian gesture and others seeing it as a politically motivated move.
The situation highlights the complex and sensitive nature of land reform in South Africa, as well as the country’s strained relations with the US.
US-South Africa relations on the brink
Relations between the US and South Africa have become increasingly strained since Trump became president in January.
The asylum offer to distressed South African farmers has also led to heightened tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
The move, which follows concerns over land reform policies and farm-related violence in South Africa, has been met with mixed reactions.
The South African government has criticized the offer, viewing it as interference in domestic affairs and a misrepresentation of the country’s land policies.
Meanwhile, Trump’s initiative has fueled debates on international relations, race, and economic stability, further complicating diplomatic ties between the two nations.
In response to the strained relationship, the U.S. has imposed strict sanctions on South Africa, adding another layer of tension to an already fragile diplomatic situation.
The sanctions are expected to impact trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, deepening the fallout from Trump’s controversial policy.
