The Trump administration is seeking to offer asylum to persecuted white people while keeping others out, the newspaper claims
The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering prioritizing asylum applications from white people as part of significant changes to the country’s refugee program, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.
The outlet claimed to have obtained documents revealing plans aligning with Trump’s immigration policy to “help mostly white people who say they are being persecuted while keeping the vast majority of other people out.”
The White House has not responded to the report, although Trump has repeatedly accused the NYT and what he describes as other left-leaning media outlets of disseminating false information to undermine his administration.
According to the NYT, the proposal was presented to the White House by officials from the State and Homeland Security Departments earlier this year, following Trump’s directive to assess whether refugee resettlement served American interests.
Proposed changes would require applicants to demonstrate their capacity to integrate into US society, including taking classes on American values and history. Additionally, the documents suggest prioritizing Europeans “targeted for peaceful expression of views online such as opposition to mass migration or support for ‘populist’ political parties,” the outlet reported.
The NYT suggested that this refers to the right-wing Alternative for Germany party, known for its anti-immigration stance.
A senior official informed the NYT that the White House is monitoring the situation in Europe to evaluate potential eligibility for refugee status, though the plan remains unfinalized and discussions are ongoing.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has implemented sweeping changes that significantly restrict the US refugee program. The latest policy suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program and proposes a record-low annual cap of 7,500 admissions, a dramatic reduction from the previous administration’s cap of 125,000.
Some initiatives, including prioritizing Afrikaners, have already been enacted after a group of white South African farmers sought asylum in the US, citing claims of racial persecution. President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed the claims, insisting that those leaving South Africa are not being persecuted and do not qualify as legitimate refugees.
