Controversial asylum: 49 Afrikaners welcomed by US officials at Dulles Airport

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

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.

During the welcome, a journalist asked Landau why an exemption had been made for Afrikaners when others are facing prosecution, specifically in Afghanistan. In response, he said President Trump recognised the dire situation faced by Afrikaners.

This raised more questions about fairness and the criteria used to select refugees.

However, Landau said the group was carefully vetted and met the US refugee standards. 

To further support the administration's decision, Landau said the minority group experienced an invasion of their homes and farms.

He said the group informed them about harrowing stories of the violence they faced back in SA, and their concerns were neglected by the authorities.

"They were subject to very egregious and targeted threats," he said.

Landau also referred to "Kill the Boer" and the Expropriation Bill as some of the factors which led the Trump administration to prioritise the Afrikaners.

Earlier, in a speech during a business conference in Ivory Coast, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the issue at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where he made it clear that the beleaguered migrants did not conform to the established criteria for individuals deserving of refugee protection.

Ramaphosa said he had a telephonic conversation with Trump and informed him that the narratives being pushed by certain groups were misleading, portraying whites in SA as victims.

“He asked me, ‘What’s going on down there?’ and I told him that what you are being told by those people who are opposed to transformation back in South Africa is not true,” he said.

He further added that he clarified to the US president that some Afrikaners often resist change, preferring to uphold the remnants of apartheid-era practices.

The two presidents are expected to meet next week.

"I told him I would like to come and meet him so we can discuss this matter further," said Ramaphosa.