In recent weeks, SACCUSA has witnessed an extraordinary influx of emails, calls, messages, and inquiries from South Africans across all communities regarding President Donald J. Trump’s executive order granting Afrikaners refugee status and facilitating their resettlement in the United States. This unprecedented interest has resulted in nearly 20,000 South Africans subscribing to SACCUSA for updates and information.
As a business organization representing the South African business community in the USA, SACCUSA is committed to providing accurate and factual information. We are not an immigration or refugee processing agency, nor do we provide legal advice. However, due to our extensive network and access to verified sources, we are dedicated to sharing reliable information on matters that impact our members and the broader South African community.
To ensure that interested South Africans receive accurate updates, SACCUSA has implemented an online information registration and subscription system to streamline communications. We are actively engaging with U.S. lawmakers, government officials, and policy experts to gather verified information. This week, SACCUSA President Mr. Neil Diamond was in to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers and government officials. Additionally, we have formally requested further details from the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Mission to South Africa regarding the application process, eligibility criteria, and logistical procedures related to refugee status and resettlement.
To prevent misinformation and speculation, SACCUSA will provide updates with official sources, including the following verified links:
U.S. Embassy in South Africa: Fact Sheet – President Donald J. Trump Addresses Human Rights Violations in South Africa
The White House: Executive Order on Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa
Please Note:
- Registering for updates via www.sachamberusa.com does not constitute an official refugee application.
- SACCUSA does not process, approve, or facilitate refugee applications.
- All applications must be submitted through the appropriate U.S. government channels.
- SACCUSA does not provide legal or immigration advice.
We understand the urgency of this matter and are committed to keeping South Africans informed with factual and verified information. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this rapidly evolving situation.
For updates, please continue to check our website and official communications.
U.S. EMBASSY SOUTH AFRICA – email for Inquiries on Refugee Status
The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA) has written to the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in South Africa regarding President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order on February 7, 2025, which grants Afrikaners refugee status and facilitates their resettlement in the United States.
SACCUSA has formally requested the State Department to open a communication channel that will allow South Africans to get information related to the Executive Order from the U.S. Embassy in South Africa as SACCUSA cannot perpetually serve as an intermediary for inquiries related to this matter. This will ensure that the public receives accurate and official guidance from the appropriate U.S. government authorities and related agencies.
The U.S. Embassy has activated an email address for enquiries, effective from February 13, 2025, and, all inquiries on President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order of February 7, 2025 can be directed to the U.S. Embassy in South Africa.
This will ensure that members of the public receive guidance directly from the U.S. government.
U.S. Embassy in South Africa – pretoriaprminfo@state.gov
SACCUSA remains steadfast in its mission to promote binational trade and investment between South Africa and the United States. The Chamber urges both governments to engage in diplomatic dialogue to address the underlying factors leading to this Executive Order while seeking solutions that uphold economic stability and bilateral cooperation. Despite current geopolitical developments, SACCUSA remains committed to fostering constructive engagement and ensuring that economic and trade relations remain resilient.
For updates, please continue to check our website and official communications.
Letter of Welcome from the President of SACCUSA
Dear South African and Valued Subscriber,
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA) information platform. The overwhelming response to recent developments regarding President Donald J. Trump’s executive order has far exceeded our expectations, with nearly 20,000 South Africans seeking credible and factual information.
As a business organization, SACCUSA is dedicated to fostering strong economic ties between South Africa and the United States. While we are not an immigration authority, we recognize the need for accurate and verified information to assist those seeking clarity. To this end, we are actively working with lawmakers, officials, and our network of policy experts to obtain factual information.
I personally traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to engage with U.S. lawmakers and government representatives, and we have formally requested further details from the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Mission to South Africa regarding this matter. As we receive updates, we will share them with you through our official channels.
We appreciate your patience as we work to bring you the most reliable information available. Please stay connected with us through our website and communications.
Best regards,
Mr. Neil Diamond
President – South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA)
www.sachamberusa.com
Update from SACCUSA Member and Legal Immigration Expert Karen Pollak
President Trump Signs Executive Order to Provide Humanitarian Relief to Certain South Africans
On February 7, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa” in response to South Africa’s recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024. This Expropriation Act purportedly enables the South African Government to seize ethnic minority Afrikaner’s agricultural property. President Trump said this Executive Order is in response not only to South Africa’s new land law but also because of South Africa’s international court case accusing Israel of genocide.
In addition to cutting off funding to South Africa, this Executive Order empowers the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize humanitarian relief including admission and resettlement through the United States Refugee Admission Program of “Afrikaners” in South Africa “who are victims of unjust racial discrimination”. Such plan must be submitted to the President and Homeland Security Advisor.
The Executive order specifically states, “the United States shall promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation”. The White House said Washington will also formulate a plan to resettle South African farmers and their families as refugees.
It is unclear exactly who is included in the term “Afrikaners”. It is also unclear when and how that plan would be enacted, since refugee arrivals were brought to a halt by an unrelated executive order signed by President Trump on January 20, 2025. It is also unclear what form of humanitarian relief will be provided to “Afrikaners” and when this will occur.
The U.S. refugee program protects people fleeing persecution based on their race, religion, political views and other factors. In most cases, the United Nations refers refugees to the United States. Typically, refugees spend several years in third countries undergoing interviews, as well as security and medical checks, before being allowed into the United States.
We will update you as more information becomes available on exactly what type of humanitarian relief will become available to “Afrikaners” and when. Until such time as the details of an actual plan are presented to the President, it is important that South Africans do not make plans to move to the United States unless you have one of the traditional visa options available to you.
The full text of the order may be viewed at Addressing Egregious Actions of The Republic of South Africa – The White House
Pollak PLLC is an award-winning immigration law firm with offices in Dallas, Texas and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We may be able to help Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination take advantage of this Executive Order.