Church Declines to Resettle Afrikaner Refugees
Episcopal Migration Ministries announced it will end its federal refugee resettlement work rather than comply with a U.S. government directive to assist white South African refugees. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe said the decision reflects the church’s commitment to racial justice and solidarity with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. The move came as 59 white South Africans arrived in the U.S. under a fast-tracked refugee program ordered by President Donald Trump.
Dispute Centers on Perceived Preferential Treatment
Rowe criticized the government’s prioritization of Afrikaners, many of whom bypassed a years-long refugee vetting process. He expressed frustration that vulnerable populations—including those who aided U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan—continue to be denied resettlement. “It has been painful to watch one group of refugees… receive preferential treatment,” Rowe stated. The church called this an ethical breach and cited religious and moral grounds for its refusal.
Historic Partnership Comes to a Close
Episcopal Migration Ministries has resettled nearly 110,000 refugees over four decades, working in Ukraine, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. That legacy will end by the close of the federal fiscal year. Rowe said the church will redirect its efforts to support immigrants already within U.S. borders and others stranded abroad.
Critics Decry Fast-Tracking of Afrikaner Refugees
Critics argue that the Trump administration’s directive undermines the broader refugee program. South Africa’s government denies any systemic discrimination against white citizens. Church World Service (CWS), another faith-based agency, voiced concern about the policy but said it would still assist Afrikaners. CWS President Rick Santos called the move “troubling,” saying it showed the government can expedite processing when it chooses to.
Broader Tensions With the Trump Administration
The Episcopal Church has clashed with the Trump administration before. In 2017, Bishop Mariann Budde publicly rebuked Trump’s policies at a high-profile prayer event. The Anglican Church of Southern Africa, rooted in the anti-apartheid movement, remains a moral compass for the Episcopal Church’s racial equity and justice decisions.
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Episcopal Church says it won’t help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status in US
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