White South African refugees who were prioritized for admission under the Trump administration are encountering significant obstacles in the US Midwest, particularly due to onerous driving regulations and policy changes that have reduced financial support.
Arrival and initial challenges
Since the announcement of a refugee resettlement program specifically for white South Africans and other minorities in February last year, an estimated 6,300 individuals have arrived in the US. Among them, 206 Afrikaners have settled in Ohio, a state that has experienced decades of population decline. The Trump administration recently declared plans to increase refugee resettlement places for South Africans by 10,000 this year.
However, these newcomers—predominantly Afrikaans-speaking descendants of Dutch settlers and French Huguenots—face major hurdles due to policies enacted by both the White House and Ohio’s Republican-controlled legislature.
Driving license restrictions
In June last year, Ohio introduced new driving license rules for lawful residents who are not citizens or green card holders. Applicants must now complete eight hours of lessons at a designated driving school, 24 hours of classroom instruction, and 50 hours of supervised driving before taking the exam. The estimated cost of fulfilling these requirements is around $500, and the process can take up to nine months—compared to just a few weeks previously.
These restrictions have created a major barrier for South African arrivals, many of whom claim to be victims of so-called “white genocide,” a debunked conspiracy theory. Since the end of apartheid in 1991, some white South Africans have alleged they face violence and racial targeting, though such claims are widely disputed.
Out-migration and financial strain
A post on X from an Ohio-based South African on 7 May demanded authorities “Stop sending South African refugees to Ohio immediately!” citing the “ridiculous driving laws.” Resettlement agencies estimate that about half of the South Africans have left Ohio due to these requirements.
Katelyn Recicar of the International Welcome Center, an Akron-based non-profit assisting 50 to 70 South Africans annually since 2024, explained: “A lot of them are out-migrating, which means they arrived here and they choose to opt out of the program and move out of state. In the past, it happened usually if someone had a family member in another state. But now it’s pretty much because of the driving.” Some South Africans reportedly struggle to secure transportation even to reach food banks.
Ohio authorities claim they are unaware of financial issues. A spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services stated: “At this time, ODJFS has not received any direct reports from these refugees indicating they are experiencing financial hardship or planning to return to their home country and therefore cannot speculate.”
Conservative backlash and federal cuts
The driving law has drawn criticism from conservative supporters of the refugee program, with one prominent YouTuber calling it “deeply discriminatory.” However, challenges extend beyond Ohio. Under the Trump administration, the federal refugee cash assistance program was reduced from 12 to four months. Since almost no other refugees have been admitted—of the 6,069 individuals granted refugee status since 1 October, all but three are from South Africa—this change has disproportionately affected South Africans.
Reuters reported in April that at least four South Africans have returned home due to family illness or changing their minds about life in America. Others report difficulties with housing in Michigan and safety issues in Denver.
Crowdfunding and community response
In Ohio, Afrikaners have launched crowdfunding campaigns to assist fellow arrivals. One effort, created by Pieter van der Walt, raised over $10,000 by 21 May. The campaign states: “Donations will be applied for helping refugees pay for rent when government funding stops after 3 months as well as financial assistance towards obtaining drivers licenses ($500/person), transportation to and from clothing and food banks.”
A representative of Amerikaners, the South Africa-based organization administering the program, declined to comment on reports of struggling refugees, noting the program remains “vital.”
Personal stories
A woman who arrived with her children in March, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation against her family in South Africa, said: “I left my country for a better future for my kids. We were persecuted by the government. Our police force can’t look after us; it’s basically non-existent. On top of that there is the crime.” She admitted she had not experienced specific attacks but described living in constant fear. While her rent is $1,950 per month and financial support is limited, she emphasized other challenges: “We don’t receive any support, specifically from the resettlement agencies. My experience is that they don’t assist us and that they are set up for failure.” Nonetheless, she expressed positivity about American community support.
Criticism and ethical concerns
At a time when the Trump administration has suspended refugee applications from crisis-hit countries like Afghanistan and Ukraine, some have criticized South Africans for seeking funds to bring their pets to the US. The fundraising effort is hosted on GiveSendGo, a Christian platform that has faced controversy for hosting extremist campaigns. Additionally, some Christian groups, including the Episcopal church, have ended their partnership with the government’s refugee resettlement program over the South African initiative, citing a commitment to racial justice and reconciliation.
