Trump administration announces visa restrictions targeting South Africans over alleged anti-white discrimination

South Africa rejected the U.S. allegations and defended policies designed to address racial inequalities created under apartheid and colonial rule.

The Trump administration has announced new visa restrictions targeting certain South African foreign nationals. They are accused of being responsible for or complicit in policies that Washington says discriminate against white and other minority groups.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the restrictions could revoke U.S. visas. According to a report by Associated Press, the move could lead to visa applications being rejected for people linked to laws or policies involving uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination or incitement of violence against minority groups. No specific individuals were named when the policy was announced.

The new restrictions deepen an already strained relationship between the United States and South Africa. The Trump administration has pointed to South Africa’s land-reform policies, affirmative-action measures and violent crimes against white farmers. This is what it describes as evidence of a broader anti-white environment. Washington has also criticized South Africa’s legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said the criticized policies were developed in response to injustices created by apartheid and colonial rule. He argued that South Africa has the sovereign right to create laws addressing those historical inequalities.

“We expect that the same respect will be accorded to the people of South Africa, as the principle of sovereignty requires.” Reuters reported that Pretoria has also rejected claims of systemic persecution of white South Africans.

The U.S. ambassador to South Africa has indicated that the visa restrictions could be followed by additional measures. South Africa’s government is calling for continued diplomatic engagement despite the dispute.