Senator Jeanne Shaheen Criticizes U.S. Policy on Afrikaner Resettlement

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a strong statement yesterday condemning the Trump Administration’s recent resettlement decisions. Shaheen criticized the administration for admitting Afrikaners into the United States while maintaining an indefinite suspension of the refugee program for thousands of individuals fleeing persecution.

In her statement, Senator Shaheen expressed her confusion and concern over the apparent prioritization of Afrikaners—an ethnic group with a complex history—in the U.S. resettlement process. She highlighted that last year, the United Nations found that no South Africans, including Afrikaners, qualified for refugee status, raising questions about the criteria used for these decisions.

Shaheen denounced what she called a “politically motivated” decision and accused the administration of attempting to “rewrite history.” She called on the government to clarify why these individuals are deemed eligible for refugee status and why they are being prioritized over other vulnerable groups. These include Afghan refugees, Burmese Rohingya, and Sudanese families, all of whom have fled their countries due to conflict and persecution.

The senator urged the current administration to lift the existing suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, emphasizing its importance as a critical tool to assist the world’s most vulnerable populations. Her remarks highlight ongoing debates over U.S. refugee policy and the criteria used in resettlement decisions amid shifting political landscapes.