South Africa Orders Deportation of Kenyans Tied to US Afrikaner Refugee Program

South African authorities have arrested and issued deportation orders for seven Kenyan nationals found working illegally at a facility processing refugee applications under a controversial United States resettlement programme.

The operation, carried out on intelligence reports in Johannesburg, revealed that the individuals had entered South Africa on tourist visas, despite the Department of Home Affairs previously denying work visa applications for the roles they were performing.

According to the Home Affairs Department, the seven Kenyans were engaged in processing applications for a US initiative that prioritises white South Africans — mainly Afrikaners — claiming they face racial persecution at home. South African officials said these claims have been firmly rejected by Pretoria, which maintains there is no evidence of systemic persecution of Afrikaners.

The detainees have been ordered deported and face a five‑year ban on re‑entry to South Africa after their violation of visa conditions. South African authorities stressed that no US government officials were arrested during the raid, which was not conducted at any diplomatic site, and that no members of the public or prospective applicants were harassed.

The incident has fuelled a new diplomatic dispute between South Africa and the United States, already strained by disagreements over the refugee programme and broader political issues. Pretoria has initiated formal discussions with both the US and Kenyan governments to address concerns around immigration protocols and the involvement of foreign workers.