How Afrikaners applied for refugee status

THE Trump administration welcomed the 49 Afrikaners who landed in the US at Dulles Airport outside Washington after they were granted asylum status following claims that they faced discrimination and violence in South Africa.

- SINENHLANHLA MASILELA

The group, which included children waving small American flags, was welcomed by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar.

"I want you all to know that you are really welcome here and that we respect what you have had to deal with these last few years," said Landau.

Meanwhile, critics have argued that granting the group asylum status contradicts the Trump administration’s previous suspensions on asylum seekers fleeing war and persecution from their countries, many of whom have endured rigorous vetting processes before reaching the US.