Trump sets record-low refugee cap in new immigration policy shift
3 Min Read
The Trump administration plans to set a record-low refugee admissions cap at 7,500 for 2026, prioritizing white South Africans in a sharp shift in Trump's immigration policy, reversing Biden-era refugee programs.
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US President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
US President Donald Trump's administration is preparing to set the refugee admissions cap at 7,500 for the 2026 fiscal year, marking a record low in the history of the US refugee program.
The move reflects a sharp turn in Trump’s immigration policy, prioritizing refugee entries from white South Africans of Afrikaner descent, according to three individuals familiar with the plan who spoke to Reuters.
If finalized, the cap would represent a drastic reduction from the 125,000 limit previously established under former US President Joe Biden.
The policy is consistent with Trump’s long-standing approach to restricting both legal and illegal immigration.
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Priority for white South African refugees sparks criticism
Following his return to office in January 2025, Trump froze all refugee admissions, stating they would resume only if deemed in the national interest. Weeks later, he signed an executive order prioritizing white South African refugees from the Afrikaner minority, claiming they face racial discrimination and violence in South Africa.
The South African government has publicly rejected those claims.
Since the executive order, 138 white South African refugees have arrived in the US, with the first group of 59 arriving in May, according to Reuters.
Biden-era policy reversal and political context
The proposed refugee admissions cap aligns with Trump’s previous stance during his 2017–2021 presidency, when he significantly reduced the refugee intake as part of a broader immigration crackdown. His administration had previously floated annual caps ranging between 40,000 and 60,000.
The current proposal marks a deeper cut and a sharp reversal from Biden-era policies, which had expanded refugee protections and admissions as part of the US’s global humanitarian commitments.
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Global and domestic reactions to US immigration shift
John Slocum, executive director of Refugee Council USA, condemned the planned limit, stating it would "jeopardize people’s lives, separate families, and undermine our national security and economic growth."
At a side event during last week’s United Nations General Assembly, senior Trump officials urged other countries to join a global campaign to roll back asylum protections. The push is seen as a major shift in the post-World War Two refugee framework and further solidifies Donald Trump’s immigration policy direction.
The White House, State Department, and Department of Homeland Security did not issue official comments to Reuters when asked about the 7,500-person refugee admissions cap for fiscal year 2026, which began on Wednesday.
