US Government Plans Media Campaign to Understand Low Refugee Applications from Afrikaners

The US government is considering a media campaign in South Africa to investigate the reasons behind the low number of white Afrikaners applying for refugee status in the United States. According to a proposal reviewed by the Guardian, the State Department has outlined a research and advertising initiative estimated to cost approximately $335,000. This effort comes after applications to the refugee program have been lower than anticipated since Afrikaners were permitted to apply online directly in November 2025. The document, prepared by the US mission in South Africa in collaboration with a research unit from the embassy in Pretoria, acknowledges that officials have limited understanding of the factors influencing this trend.