US Announces Visa Restrictions Targeting South African Officials

On September 15, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa restriction policy aimed at certain foreign nationals from South Africa. The South African embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Straits Times

The announcement follows a series of actions by the Trump administration that have criticized South Africa over land-reform measures, alleged racial discrimination, and a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. President Donald Trump has previously cut aid to South Africa, expelled its ambassador, and promoted claims of “white genocide.” Simultaneously, the United States has accelerated the admission of White South Africans as refugees, reporting that more than 7,700 Afrikaners have been admitted since late June of the same year.

The Straits TimesCNN

Rubio emphasized U.S. He added, “The United States will not allow such behavior to go unchecked. These actions directly undermine peace, economic stability, and the rule of law, and they are incompatible with the pillars of America’s foreign policy.” The South African government has denied evidence of discrimination against white citizens and described the allegations as threats to the nation’s post-apartheid unity.

CNN

• “The South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns,” — State Marco Rubio

The Straits Times

• “The United States remains gravely concerned about racially motivated crime and government-sponsored discrimination occurring against the Afrikaners and other minority populations in South Africa, including race-based discriminatory legislation, threats of land expropriation without compensation, and incitement of racial violence through dehumanizing chants and slogans,” — State Marco Rubio

CNN

• “The United States will not allow such behavior to go unchecked. These actions directly undermine peace, economic stability, and the rule of law, and they are incompatible with the pillars of America’s foreign policy,” — State Marco Rubio

CNN