South African Leader Slams U.S. Asylum Claims: "It's About Disliking Change"

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is shutting down asylum claims from the United States. While President Donald Trump's administration has shut down refugee admissions and rescinded thousands of people who were granted entry to the United States for humanitarian protections, the administration admitted 59 White South Africans labeled as "refugees" on Monday.

On Monday, several dozen White South African nationals landed at Washington Dulles International Airport via a government-paid flight. President Trump has asserted baseless allegations suggesting that White South Africans face "genocide." As a result of these statements from the president’s office, his administration provided them refugee status, putting them on an expedited path toward U.S. citizenship.

During a panel discussion at the Africa CEO Forum, President Ramaphosa stated however, rejected the assertions made by American conservative figures.

“Those people who are being enticed to go to the United States do not fit the definition of a refugee,” he says. “A refugee is someone who has to leave their country out of fear of political, religious, or economic persecution.”

President Ramaphosa went on to say that the white South Africans admitted into the United States are resisting change.

“We're the only country on the continent where the colonizers came to stay, and we have never driven them out of our country,” he adds. “There's a fringe grouping that does not have a lot of support. [The group] is anti-transformation and anti-change. They would actually prefer South Africa going back to Apartheid type of policies.”

Episcopal Church Says It Won't Help Resettle White South Africans

The special handling of these refugees by the Trump administration has provoked anger among civil rights groups, immigration supporters, and even religious institutions.

The Episcopal Church's migration service is refusing a federal government directive to resettle white South Africans granted refugee status. According to the Associated Press, the church cites its "commitment to racial justice and reconciliation" as the reason behind its refusal.

"In light of our church's steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation and our historic ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, we are not able to take this step," said Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe.

Rowe additionally stated that the church has decided to terminate its refugee resettlement grant agreements with the U.S. federal government. According to him, these contracts will be concluded by the end of the fiscal year.

"It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others who have been waiting in refugee camps or dangerous conditions for years," said Rowe.

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