‘Not everyone is eligible’: Refugee programme sparks backlash

The US Embassy’s statement that “not everyone is eligible” for the refugee programme, open to racial minorities like white Afrikaner farmers, has been met with backlash from applicants.

This comes amid reports that hundreds of South Africans have been rejected for various reasons.

It also follows news that one refugee – Arno Venter – who resettled in Ohio with his family, was arrested on over 11 charges of child porn distribution.

US EMBASSY: ‘NOT EVERYONE IS ELIGIBLE FOR REFUGEE PROGRAMME’

In a statement shared on their X account, the US Embassy set the record straight regarding expectations for the refugee programme.

It shared: “Not everyone seeking refugee resettlement in the United States is eligible.

“U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has informed some USRAP applicants in South Africa that their cases are ineligible for continued processing, meaning their applications will not move forward.

“USCIS reviews each application on a case-by-case basis to determine whether applicants meet all requirements under U.S. law.

🇺🇸 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐔𝐒𝐑𝐀𝐏 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝?

Not everyone seeking refugee resettlement in the United States is eligible.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has informed some USRAP applicants in South Africa that their cases are… pic.twitter.com/OQoIe6g2KY

— U.S. Mission SA (@USEmbassySA) October 25, 2026

The US Embassy emphasised that all refugees admitted to the United States must meet the necessary eligibility requirements and must pass security and medical screenings.

Applicants to the refugee programme must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a South African national, living in South Africa
• Belong to a racial minority in South Africa, for example, a white Afrikaner.
• Must be able to explain a past experience of persecution or a fear of future persecution.
• Must be at least 18, or be referred with a qualifying parent.

WHY ARE APPLICATIONS BEING DENIED?

According to authorities, refugee applications have been rejected, and some individuals have had their status revoked by USCIS based on the following reasons…

• Fraud and misrepresentation 
• Ineligibility as per requirements
• Security and terrorism concerns
• Criminal history

The UCIS has stated that it is under no obligation to grant an appeal to a rejected refugee applicant.

However, in rare cases, the application may be reviewed if evidence is missing or a factual error is found. This is entirely discretionary.

BACKLASH FROM REJECTED APPLICANTS

The US Embassy’s statement has been met with scores of comments criticising the refugee programme and its growing rejection of applicants.

Here’s what a few had to say on X…

@FredAmerikaner: “The high rate of ineligibility decisions will be the death of the programme. Why risk it if it means you will be stuck here forever?”

@ShadowEchoX: “Hundreds of us were lied to and dragged along for almost a year, believing that today we would get our tickets. But all we got was  a letter that crushed all hope and belief that we were saved”

@art03837827: “All bullsh*t. People who met all the criteria were rejected.”