U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions on South African Nationals Over Discrimination Allegations

<p>The Trump administration announced new visa restrictions on September 15, 2026, targeting foreign nationals in South Africa accused of race-based discrimination, uncompensated land seizures, or inciting imminent violence against racial and ethnic minorities.</p><p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy under a provision of federal immigration law that allows him to declare foreign nationals inadmissible if their entry could have serious adverse foreign policy consequences.</p><p>The restrictions will focus on foreign nationals deemed responsible for or complicit in laws or policies that the State Department claims enable uncompensated land seizures, racial discrimination, or incitement of violence against minority groups in South Africa.</p><p>Rubio criticized the South African government in a post on X, stating, "As @POTUS has made clear, the South African people are being failed by a government that is destroying its economy through an obsessive pursuit of racial grievance against the Afrikaner minority."</p><p>He accused the South African government of inadequately addressing rural crime and of using "violent and dehumanizing rhetoric" against Afrikaners and other minority groups.</p><p>Rubio emphasized that those responsible for these injustices should not be allowed in the United States.</p><p>Family members of those targeted may also be subject to the restrictions, according to the State Department.</p><p>This announcement continues the Trump administration's ongoing dispute with the South African government regarding its treatment of Afrikaners and other minority populations.</p><p>In February 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to halt aid to South Africa as permitted by law and to prioritize humanitarian relief for Afrikaners identified as victims of racial discrimination.</p><p>The order specifically mentioned South Africa's Expropriation Act and accused the government of facilitating the seizure of Afrikaner agricultural property without compensation, along with pursuing other discriminatory policies.</p><p>Rubio stated that the administration believes South Africa has not adequately addressed its concerns.</p><p>The new restrictions are being implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, according to the State Department.</p><p>The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>