Over 67,000 skilled South Africans looking for the exit

The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA) has received over 67,042 registrations of interest from South Africans looking to move to the United States since President Donald Trump’s Executive Order was signed.

On 7 February 2025, Trump signed an executive order freezing aid to South Africa and prioritising the resettlement of Afrikaners in the United States as refugees.

The main catalyst that prompted the executive order was the signing into law of the controversial Expropriation Act by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The White House argued that the Act discriminates against the white minority population by allowing the state to seize land without compensation.

As a result, the US Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security said it would take steps to admit and resettle Afrikaners under the United States Refugee Admissions Program.

A week after the executive order was signed, the SACCUSA noted that it had received over 17,000 inquiries from South Africans seeking information on refugee status and relocation to the United States.

However, as of Tuesday (18 March), this number has reached just over 67,000, which the SACCUSA has now handed over to the US Embassy in Pretoria.

“We have handed over the information of 67,042 South Africans expressing interest in the resettlement opportunity offered by President Trump’s Executive Order,” SACCUSA said in a statement.

“SACCUSA handed this data over to the US Embassy in Pretoria, requesting that these South Africans be prioritized and kept regularly updated with necessary information about their resettlement process.”

It added that to ensure that all parties receive accurate and official guidance from the appropriate US government authorities, SACCUSA has now directed all inquiries to the US Embassy in South Africa. 

“This transition and handover enable SACCUSA to focus on its core mandates and ensures the public receives guidance directly from US government authorities,” it said.

The chamber added that it remains steadfast in its support for the Trump Administration’s efforts in the resettlement of South Africans with a desire to relocate to the USA.

“As a vibrant and resilient community, the South African diaspora in the USA looks forward to welcoming and supporting the new arrivals, particularly those granted refugee status.”

Caution to South Africa and those wanting to leave

However, speaking to Newzroom Afrika, SACCUSA president Neil Diamond stressed that the departure of experienced farmers could have severe consequences for South Africa’s food security, agricultural value chain, and economic stability.

Agricultural economist Johan Fourie noted similar concerns and highlighted that these individuals looking to leave are not just farmers – they are highly skilled, well-educated and economically successful.

“These are not subsistence farmers looking for low-wage labour; they are experienced agribusiness professionals, accustomed to managing large-scale commercial farms in one of the most challenging agricultural environments in the world.”

While there is a notable demand for those wanting to leave South Africa and take Trump up on his offer, immigration experts have warned that these people should think twice before making a decision.

Canadian immigration consultant Nicholas Avramis has warned the Afrikaans community that making an asylum claim comes with consequences.

“I would caution any individual from making a refugee claim to the United States or any other country as it will impact any future visa application to other countries,” he said.

“It is essentially a mark on your record and will have to be explained every time one applies for a visitor visa to another country.”

When applying to visit another country, immigration officials need to be satisfied that you will return to your home country.

However, asylum is a clear indication that you want to leave your home country without the intention of returning.

Avramis advised South Africans to focus on immigration programs created with a genuine intent to attract skilled workers as opposed to those created in politics.