From ‘You Whites’ rant to US refugee: SA Indian man sparks backlash

Merlin Jankeepersad, an Indian South African man whose racist rant against white people went viral on Facebook a few years ago, has taken up refugee status in the US

His acceptance into the programme, which is open to minority races, particularly white Afrikaner farmers, has sparked backlash, given the increase in rejected applications

INDIAN MAN BECOMES US REFUGEE YEARS AFTER RACIST FACEBOOK RANT

Earlier this year, Merlin Jankeepersad moved to the US under the refugee programme.

The former South African property agent – of Indian descent – has resettled in the community of Rock Island, Illinois.

Although he is eligible for the programme, as a racial minority, a racially-charged Facebook post from 2018 has come back to haunt him.

At the time, Jankeepersad posted on his account: “What the f**k is wrong with you c*nt whites. In a country where you are about to be evicted? I just arrived at Olivedale Spar, a stupid wh*re decided to leave her trolley as I pulled into a parking space, and her p*ss boyfriend tried to drive me over. I hooted and booted his driver’s side window with my bare hands, and like a usual p*ssy, he ran away. You whites must f**king get a wake-up”

After the post blew up on social media, Jankeepersad apologised to the public, particularly white people. At the time, Property24 distanced itself from the man, stating that his agent profile had been removed from their website.

His recent acceptance into the refugee programme, where the majority of applicants are white Afrikaner people, has sparked backlash on social media.

X user @GriffinForGold tagged US State Secretary Marco Rubio, tweeting: “The refugee program is being abused. This is a serious threat to the American people, and it undermines the programme. This should be investigated, and perpetrators should be arrested and deported immediately back to South Africa. Please investigate”

Another account, @MustLoveDogs32, posted: “So America can allow these types of people in but not the Afrikaners who were rejected? Perhaps his application needs to be revisited”.

A third, @Sojournerism, commented: “I demand to know why my daughter was found ineligible and weigh it against this man’s approval. 😡”

PARTYING WITH NEW FRIENDS

Amid the backlash, Merlin Jankeepersad has made his social media accounts private.

However, recent posts in various Facebook groups reveal that the South African man is settling in well to his adopted country.

He posted last month: “I’ve recently moved to the Quad Cities, Live in Rock Island and work in Davenport. What do other single people in their 40s do around here for fun, socialising, meeting and making new friends, etc? Any good bars or dance clubs?

He also shared that he had been accepted into a robotics course at a local community college, was working night shifts for Amazon, and had been baptised at his Anglican church. 

HOW WAS HE ACCEPTED INTO RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME?

Like other racial minorities in the refugee programme, Merlin Jankeeersad had to prove his “fear of persecution” in his application.

This could be anything from race-based discrimination, threats or violence made against him, discrimination against his political opinion or demonstrating a fear of future persecution.