U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions On South Africa Over Race-Based Discrimination

The United States on Tuesday announced a targeted visa restriction policy directed at certain foreign nationals linked to South African laws that discriminate against the country’s white and Asian minority populations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued the measure under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. “As stated in President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14204, ‘Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa,’ the United States remains gravely concerned about racially motivated crime and government-sponsored discrimination occurring against the Afrikaners and other minority populations in South Africa, including race-based discriminatory legislation, threats of land expropriation without compensation, and incitement of racial violence through dehumanizing chants and slogans,” Rubio said in an official statement.

“The South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns and so today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act targeting foreign nationals who are responsible for, or complicit in, the enactment or implementation of laws or policies that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, and/or the incitement of imminent violence against members of minority ethnic or racial groups in South Africa,” the secretary continued.

“The United States will not allow such behavior to go unchecked. These actions directly undermine peace, economic stability, and the rule of law, and they are incompatible with the pillars of America’s foreign policy.” He added: “We once again strongly urge the South African government to quickly address these egregious actions.”

POLL: Should Immigrants Be Required To Speak English?

As has been made absolutely clear, the time for endless “dialogue” has run its course. No more. America has just so much patience. We want strong, and lasting relations with the South African government. It needs to show it wants the same. So far it has shown it cares for… https://t.co/hyvBqequAJ

— U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa (@USAmbRSA) September 16, 2026

The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s February executive order, which cited South Africa’s Expropriation Act 13 of 2024, which permits expropriation of property without compensation in specified circumstances. The policy is mostly geared towards seizing land and property held by white Afrikaners.

The order also referenced employment, education, and business policies the administration described as dismantling equal opportunity, halted most U.S. aid to South Africa, and directed officials to prioritize refugee resettlement for Afrikaners “who are victims of unjust racial discrimination.”

U.S. Ambassador L. Brent Bozell III later described the visa policy as “only the first step in a series of escalatory measures.”

Farm attacks and murders have been cited by U.S. officials as part of the broader concern. Civil group AfriForum recorded 184 farm attacks and 29 farm murders in 2025, compared with 176 attacks and 37 murders in 2024.

Organizations tracking the incidents have also documented cases involving torture or extreme violence. Separate U.S. complaints have focused on race-conscious legislation and political slogans such as “Kill the Boer.”

Following the 2025 executive order, the United States opened a refugee pathway for Afrikaners and other South African racial minorities. Official arrival data show the large majority of U.S. refugee admissions in fiscal year 2026 have come from South Africa, with totals reaching more than 10,000 South African admissions by July of this year.

RELATED: Trump Makes South African Prez Squirm With Clips Showing Anti-White Bloodlust In His Country