WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is weighing whether to slash refugee admissions for 2026 to as few as 40,000, a dramatic reduction from recent years. The proposal, reported by Reuters, has sparked backlash from humanitarian organizations and lawmakers, particularly because it may prioritize white South Africans over other groups facing displacement.
“The administration is looking at limiting total refugee admissions while prioritizing white South Africans,” officials familiar with the discussions told Reuters.
The Biden administration had set refugee admissions at 125,000, citing America’s historic role in resettlement. Lowering the cap to 40,000 would represent one of the most restrictive policies in decades. The new framework would also mark the first time racial or ethnic criteria may be factored into refugee preference categories — an unprecedented move that legal experts warn could be unconstitutional.
Democrats in Congress quickly condemned the proposal. “Refugee resettlement should be based on humanitarian need, not race,” said Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). Civil rights groups, including the ACLU, have hinted they could sue if the policy is enacted. Republican leaders, however, have defended the review, citing the need for “cultural compatibility” and “security vetting.”
Aid groups warn that the shift could undermine U.S. credibility as a leader in humanitarian response. Currently, crises in Sudan, Yemen, and Venezuela have created record displacement, with the United Nations estimating over 120 million people worldwide are displaced. “Singling out white South Africans would leave millions of other refugees in desperate need without protection,” said David Miliband, CEO of the International Rescue Committee. With the cap under review, final decisions are expected in the coming weeks as the State Department drafts its official admissions plan.