South African authorities have leveled serious allegations against the United States regarding the operation of a refugee processing facility for white South Africans. The Department of Home Affairs revealed that seven Kenyan nationals were apprehended during a targeted operation for working illegally at the center while holding only tourist visas.
According to official statements, intelligence reports indicated that these individuals had recently entered South Africa on tourist visas and were unlawfully employed at the facility processing refugee applications for members of the white Afrikaner community. The Kenyan workers had previously been denied proper work visas but were discovered violating their entry conditions.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between the two nations regarding the US policy of granting asylum to Afrikaners based on claims of persecution—an assertion the South African government vehemently disputes. This controversy emerges despite the US administration’s significant reduction of overall refugee admissions from 125,000 to just 7,500 annually.
South African officials emphasized that the operation demonstrated their shared commitment with the United States to combat illegal immigration and visa abuse. The detained Kenyan nationals will face deportation and receive five-year entry bans. Notably, no US officials were arrested during the operation, which did not target diplomatic premises.
The South African government has initiated formal diplomatic engagements with both the United States and Kenya to address the matter further. The US State Department has not yet provided public commentary on these developments.