Story perspectives

Refugee admissions plunge; South Africans arrested after Trump praise

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Melany and Peet Viljoen, South African figures, entered the U.S. in May 2025 and posted praising President Donald Trump while claiming ‘survival mode’.
They were arrested in Palm Beach County, Florida, for grocery theft and placed in ICE custody pending deportation.
Refugee admissions fell to under 4,500 fiscal year, with all but three refugees white South Africans; about 12,000 expatriates verified citizenship and roughly 1,000 reclaimed it because of cost-of-living concerns.

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Story summary

Melany and Peet Viljoen, South African figures, entered the U.S. in May 2025 and posted praising President Donald Trump while claiming ‘survival mode’.
They were arrested in Palm Beach County, Florida, for grocery theft and placed in ICE custody pending deportation.
Refugee admissions fell to under 4,500 fiscal year, with all but three refugees white South Africans; about 12,000 expatriates verified citizenship and roughly 1,000 reclaimed it because of cost-of-living concerns.