The United States has imposed visa restrictions on certain South African nationals accused of engaging in race-based discrimination and inciting violence against minority populations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the measures on Wednesday, stating that Washington is deeply concerned by “racially motivated crime and government-sponsored discrimination occurring against the Afrikaners and other minority populations in South Africa.”
Rubio pointed to specific grievances, including race-based legislation, threats of land expropriation without compensation, and the use of dehumanizing chants and slogans that incite racial violence.
“The United States will not allow such behavior to go unchecked,” Rubio said, adding that the visa bans were implemented after the South African government failed to adequately address Washington’s concerns.
The move marks a significant escalation by the Trump administration, which has repeatedly targeted Pretoria over its domestic policies and the alleged targeting of Afrikaners—descendants of early Dutch and French settlers.
Pretoria quickly rejected the allegations. South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said he noted the US announcement with concern, describing it as an unfortunate mischaracterization of the country’s domestic laws and policies.
The diplomatic row comes amid shifting immigration patterns between the two nations. Since October last year, South Africans have accounted for nearly all refugees permanently settled in the United States. President Donald Trump has previously defended the targeted resettlement of Afrikaners, arguing that the policy serves to strengthen US national security and public safety.
