Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa
This executive order, issued by President Donald J. Trump, condemns South Africa’s Expropriation Act 13 of 2024, which it says would allow the government to seize property owned by ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation. The order characterizes South Africa’s broader policies as discriminatory and harmful to equal opportunity, and it criticizes the country’s international posture. As a result, the order declares U.S. policy to withhold aid to South Africa while promoting the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees who flee discrimination. Key actions include directing U.S. agencies to halt foreign aid to South Africa to the maximum extent allowed by law (with possible limited exceptions by agency heads), and instructing the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize humanitarian relief and refugee resettlement in the United States for Afrikaners affected by discrimination. The order also requires a plan to be developed for refugee admissions and resettlement and clarifies that the order does not create enforceable rights or alter existing legal authorities or budget processes.
Key Points
- 1Condemnation of South Africa’s Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 and related government policies targeting Afrikaners; cites concerns about rights violations and discrimination.
- 2U.S. policy to not provide aid or assistance to South Africa while these policies persist, and a stated goal to promote Afrikaner refugee resettlement.
- 3All executive departments and agencies are ordered to halt foreign aid to South Africa to the maximum extent allowed by law, with potential narrow exceptions only if the agency head deems it necessary or appropriate.
- 4The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security must prioritize humanitarian relief and refugee admissions for Afrikaners affected by discrimination, via the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, with a resettlement plan to be submitted to the President.
- 5General provisions confirm that the order preserves existing statutory authorities and budget processes, is subject to applicable law and appropriations, and does not create enforceable rights.