SACCUSA Calls for Clarity on U.S. Refugee Policies and Process
The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA) continues to engage with U.S. authorities, pushing for clear guidelines on the evolving refugee policy landscape. More than ten days after President Trump’s Executive Order, there remains a lack of defined eligibility criteria and an established application process, leaving many individuals and businesses seeking clarity.
In response to inquiries, the U.S. Embassy in South Africa has confirmed that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the primary authority responsible for making refugee determinations. While the embassy can facilitate communication, it does not hold decision-making power over individual refugee applications.
President Trump has tasked Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Christie Noem with ensuring that humanitarian relief efforts, including refugee admissions and resettlement under the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), align with legal and policy frameworks. Given that USCIS operates under the Department of Homeland Security, all procedural decisions regarding refugee applications will fall under their jurisdiction.
Refugee status is a form of protection that may be granted to people who meet the definition of refugee and who are of special humanitarian concern to the United States. Refugees are generally people outside of their country who are unable or unwilling to return home because they fear serious harm.
- For a legal definition of refugee, see section 101(a)(42) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
- You may seek a referral for refugee status only from outside of the United States. For more information about refugees, see the Refugees section.
- Please follow the link below for the official USCIS Brochures with information on Refugees.
SACCUSA remains committed to keeping South African businesses and individuals informed as new updates emerge. Those seeking official information on the refugee application process can direct inquiries to pretoriaprminfo@state.gov or stay updated by registering for alerts at www.sachamberusa.com
Please note:
- SACCUSA does not process, approve, or facilitate refugee applications—we only provide updates and information.
- All official refugee applications must be submitted through the U.S. government and relevant immigration authorities at USCIS.
- SACCUSA does not provide legal or immigration advice.
SACCUSA INVITES YOU TO A FREE WEBINAR
SACCUSA invite South Africans to join a Free webinar arranged by our member emigrate2usa.co.za and top immigration attorneys Leon Versfeld and Bernard Wolfsdorf as they unpack the Executive Order on Refugee Resettlement and its impact on South Africans.
This Free Webinar is Monday 24th at 7:30pm SA time. Register now!
https://emigrate2usa.co.za/events/webinar-unpacking-the-immigration-aspects-of-president-trump-s-executive-order-on-south-africans
Here are some bullet points for review. Unpacking the Immigration Aspects of President Trump’s Executive Order on South Africa:
- What is an Executive Order
- How does the U.S Refugee Program Work?
- What does Refugee Status Mean?
- Applying in the U.S. – Asylum Status v Refugee Status
- Refugee Status v Greencard v U.S. Citizenship
- Defining – who qualifies as disfavoured minorities?
- Sponsor Requirements
- Other Pathways to the U.S.
Leon Versfeld is a co-founder and attorney at Versfeld & Hugo LLC, specializing in U.S. immigration law with a focus on business immigration, compliance, and complex immigration matters. With over two decades of experience, Leon has represented a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to individuals and families, ensuring their immigration needs are met with precision and care.
Bernard P. Wolfsdorf is the past national President of the 14,000 member American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). He is presently Managing Partner of the top-rated Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP, an immigration law firm known worldwide for providing exceptional quality service. With 21 lawyers and offices in Los Angeles and New York, the firm provides high quality global immigration services.
SACCUSA remains committed to fostering strong U.S.-South African trade relations and legal pathways for South Africans seeking employment opportunities in the United States.
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