The Episcopal Church terminated its partnership with the U.S. government to resettle refugees due to moral objections to a Trump administration request to resettle white Afrikaners from South Africa. This decision, ending a four-decade relationship, stems from the church’s commitment to racial justice and its historical ties to the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, which opposed apartheid. The White House criticized the decision, arguing that Afrikaners deserve resettlement regardless of politics. The church will continue supporting refugees through other means. This action comes amidst a broader Trump administration freeze on the refugee resettlement program, causing significant challenges for other resettlement organizations.
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The Episcopal Church ended its decades-long partnership with the U.S. government to resettle refugees due to moral objections to resettling white Afrikaners from South Africa, a request made by the Trump administration. This decision, announced by Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, cites the church’s commitment to racial justice and its historical ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, which opposed apartheid. The church will continue supporting immigrants and refugees through other means, while the government’s actions have halted most refugee resettlement programs and sparked lawsuits from other resettlement organizations. This move coincides with the planned arrival of Afrikaners to the U.S., despite denials of systemic racism in South Africa.
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President Trump issued an executive order ceasing financial aid to South Africa, citing alleged unjust racial discrimination against white Afrikaners and offering them US asylum. The order criticizes South Africa’s land expropriation law and accuses the government of discriminatory policies across various sectors. This action follows accusations of anti-US stances by South Africa on international issues and has been met with pushback from South Africa’s foreign ministry, which claims a misinformation campaign is underway. The potential loss of US aid and tariff-free access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act has caused concern among conservative Afrikaner groups.
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President Trump issued an executive order prioritizing the resettlement of white South African Afrikaners, citing alleged government-sponsored racial discrimination, despite South Africa’s denials. This action coincided with the halting of all U.S. aid to South Africa, much of which funds HIV/AIDS treatment. The order reverses Trump’s initial suspension of the refugee program and prioritizes Afrikaners, a minority group who own a disproportionate amount of farmland. This decision has drawn criticism, with South Africa’s president stating that land redistribution is a legal process, not confiscation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker