The failing American dream: Reports of Afrikaner refugees ‘barely scraping by’

A group of Afrikaners who relocated to the United States after they were granted asylum status following claims that they faced discrimination and violence in South Africa, are experiencing challenges with the country’s relocating programme.

The group landed in the US in May 2025 and were welcomed at Dulles Airport outside Washington 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 at the time.

The families were promised housing, job placement, and school enrolment support through resettlement agencies.

However, in a recent report, Madeleine Rowley, a journalist with The Free Press, told CBS News that some of the families are “barely scraping by” due to what they describe as failures within the US government system.

According to Rowley, the families should be assisted by resettlement agencies that receive substantial annual funding to secure safe, hygienic and reasonably priced accommodation for refugees.

However, she told the TV news station that she spoke to 10 families who said they haven't been provided proper housing and have spent weeks living in motels and unsafe areas.

"They are being offered housing that is full of mould, apartments that are full of mould and [housing] in expensive areas," she said. 

Rowley explained that each refugee receives an allocation of $2,000 (about R32,102), but interviewees said most, if not all, of that amount has gone towards covering rental expenses, leaving little for other essential needs.

She added that, in some instances, neighbours had to step in to assist the families because they were unable to get hold of the resettlement agencies.

How the US government promised to assist

Legal entry and work authorisation: Refugees gain lawful US entry and immediate work permission via a Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) and an Employment Authorization Document.

Resettlement assistance: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) will provide the Afrikaners with initial housing, job placement, and school enrolment support through resettlement agencies.

Financial and medical aid: Eligible refugees access Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) for up to four months (post-May 2025 arrivals), covering basic needs like food and healthcare.

Federal benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may also apply.

Family reunification: Within two years, the Afrikaner refugees can file Form I-730 to petition for spouses and unmarried children under 21 to join them in the US.

Path to permanent residency: After one year, the refugees can apply for a Green Card, offering a route to citizenship.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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