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United States imposes visa restrictions on South Africans over land and race policies
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced new visa restrictions targeting South African foreign nationals deemed responsible for or complicit in race-based discrimination, uncompensated land seizures, or the incitement of imminent violence against minority groups. The policy, implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows the administration to bar individuals whose entry could have serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Rubio stated that the South African government has failed to address concerns regarding the treatment of the Afrikaner minority and the implementation of land reform laws.
The restrictions may also extend to the family members of those targeted. This move marks a significant escalation in tensions between the Trump administration and the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The U.S. has previously criticized South Africa's post-apartheid racial justice and land expropriation policies, which Washington claims target white citizens. In response to these tensions, the U.S. has also prioritized the admission of Afrikaners as refugees, admitting over 7,700 through specialized programs as of June 2026.
South African authorities have denied allegations of racial persecution or genocide, maintaining that land reform measures are constitutional and aimed at addressing historical inequities. The diplomatic relationship between the two nations has deteriorated significantly, characterized by U.S. aid cuts, the expulsion of the South African ambassador, and the imposition of high tariffs on South African goods.
Entities
African Union · Cyril Ramaphosa · Department of Homeland Security · Donald Trump · Marco Rubio · South Africa · U.S. Department of State · US Citizenship and Immigration Services · United States · United States Department of State
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 26 SOURCES] The policy targets individuals involved in uncompensated land seizures and race-based discrimination against the Afrikaner community and other minority groups ghananewss.com · www.ntd.com · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · offthepress.com · www.diariodocentrodomundo.com.br · +21 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Trump administration has previously cut aid to South Africa and expelled its ambassador ghananewss.com · newscentraltv.com · www.document.no · www.algoafm.co.za
- [● 3 SOURCES] The U.S. has admitted over 7,700 Afrikaners through refugee programs as of June 2026 www.diariodocentrodomundo.com.br · arabic.cnn.com · kahawatungu.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The visa restrictions are being applied under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act offthepress.com · lanouvelletribune.info · insidepolitic.co.za
- [● 7 SOURCES] Pretoria denies there is evidence of discrimination or persecution against white people in South Africa ghananewss.com · www.myjoyonline.com · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · www.diariodocentrodomundo.com.br · newscentraltv.com · +2 more
- [● 26 SOURCES] The U.S. is implementing new visa restrictions targeting South African foreign nationals responsible for or complicit in uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, or incitement of imminm ghananewss.com · offthepress.com · www.diariodocentrodomundo.com.br · newscentraltv.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · +21 more