Johannesburg – Nearly 70 000 white South Africans – many with children – have registered their interest to relocate to the United States of America as refugees.
The disaffected whites registered their interest in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Executive Order issued last month, on 7 February 2025, which grants Afrikaners refugee status and facilitates their resettlement in the United States.
The South African Chamber of Commerce in the U.S.A. (SACCUSA), which supports the initiative, said it handed over to the U.S. embassy in Pretoria information about 67 042 South Africans “expressing interest” in the “resettlement opportunity” offered by President Trump.
SACCUSA said it handed this data over to the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria on Tuesday, (18 March 2025), and requested that “these South Africans be prioritised and kept regularly updated with necessary information about their resettlement process”.
To ensure that all parties receive accurate and official guidance from the appropriate U.S. government authorities, SACCUSA said it has directed all inquiries regarding the Executive Order to the U.S. Embassy in South Africa.
The Embassy has activated a specific email address for this purpose:
U.S. Embassy in South Africa – pretoriaprminfo@state.gov
SACCUSA said this transition and handover enable it to focus on its core mandates and ensures the public receives guidance directly from U.S. government authorities.
SACCUSA said it will continue to update South Africans through its newsletter.
SACCUSA said “this effort” was in alignment with its mission to serve the South African business community and diaspora in the U.S. in a non-political capacity while fostering binational trade, investment, and tourism between South Africa and the U.S.
SACCUSA said it remains steadfast in its support for the Trump Administration’s efforts in the resettlement of South Africans with a desire to relocate to the U.S.
“As a vibrant and resilient community, the South African diaspora in the US looks forward to welcoming and supporting the new arrivals, particularly those granted refugee status,” SACCUSA said.
“Despite current developments, SACCUSA is committed to fostering constructive engagement between the U.S. and South Africa by utilizing economic diplomacy and cultural diplomacy.
“These initiatives are crucial for maintaining resilient trade relations and ensuring the well-being of South Africans looking to build new lives in the United States.”
SACCUSA said for more information on the resettlement process and other inquiries, please direct your questions to the U.S. Embassy’s designated communication channel.
SACCUSA added that it encourages all interested parties to use this official resource for guidance.
