In an infuriating decision, the Episcopal Church has refused to help President Donald Trump resettle white South Africans granted refugee status in the U.S.
See the tweet below!
This decision marks the end of a long-standing partnership with the U.S. government under President Trump, who cited racial discrimination as a basis for their resettlement.
The Episcopal Church, led by Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, will no longer participate in the resettlement of white South African Afrikaners in the U.S.
The Church stated that its decision aligns with a longstanding commitment to racial justice and historical ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
This decision was announced shortly before the arrival of 49 South Africans at Dulles International Airport under a program fast-tracked by the Trump administration.
The Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) will end all federal resettlement work when its contract expires on September 30, instead focusing on serving refugees already in the U.S. and other migrants.
This move is part of a larger criticism against the preferential treatment given to Afrikaners, chosen through a non-traditional resettlement process.
The Trump administration’s executive order fast-tracked Afrikaner resettlement, citing concerns over alleged racial discrimination by South Africa’s black-led government.
Many voices within the Church have expressed concern over selective resettlement policies, urging the U.S. to honor commitments to other refugee populations.
The Trump administration’s selective program has faced criticism for neglecting refugees who supported the U.S. military and those facing religious persecution.
Matthew Soerens of World Relief emphasized the need to resume the broader refugee resettlement program to support diverse groups languishing in camps.
“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,” stated Bishop Sean Rowe.
President Trump defended the Afrikaner refugee program, citing alleged violence against white farmers in South Africa as a rationale.
However, a South African court has ruled such claims of genocide as “imagined” and “not real.”
Despite the controversy, Church World Service (CWS) has agreed to work with the arriving South Africans, reaffirming its commitment to serve all eligible refugees with dignity and compassion.
Inevitably, this bold move by the Episcopal Church raises questions about the nation’s refugee policies and the role of churches in assisting in humanitarian efforts.
The U.S. government’s selective resettlement approach under Trump leaves many refugees in limbo, questioning who indeed deserves this lifeline.
Advocacy continues as organizations call for a fair and inclusive process that reflects America’s values of compassion and support for all in need.
“We are concerned that the U.S. Government has chosen to fast-track the admission of Afrikaners, while actively fighting court orders to provide life-saving resettlement to other refugee populations who are in desperate need of resettlement,” said CWS president and CEO Rick Santos.
The Episcopal Church announcement comes just one day after 49 Afrikaners left their country for resettlement in the United States. https://t.co/ElIdjppCkL
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) May 12, 2025
