race based persecution

In a controversial move, the Trump administration granted refugee status to 49 white South Africans, mostly Afrikaners, citing racial persecution. Welcomed by US officials, President Trump defended the decision, alleging a "genocide" against white farmers, a claim South Africa vehemently denies. Critics highlight the contradiction with Trump's restrictive immigration policies, while allies like Elon Musk support his concerns.

Secretary Rubio and Senator Kaine clashed over the acceptance of Afrikaner refugees from South Africa. Kaine questioned prioritizing Afrikaners while other persecuted groups faced program cancellations. Rubio defended the decision, citing persecution and adherence to requirements, while Kaine raised concerns about fairness and historical context, leading to a heated exchange about skin color-based standards.

"We are concerned that India's new Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 is fundamentally discriminatory in nature," UN human rights spokesman Jeremy Laurence told reporters in Geneva. Laurence said while the goal of protecting persecuted groups was welcome, this should be done through a robust national asylum system that is premised on equality and non-discrimination.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed claims of persecution against white Afrikaners, countering assertions from US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. He urged unity within the country, highlighting that the allegations of targeted farm attacks and 'white genocide' lack factual basis and are being used to divide South Africans.

The US government announced willingness to provide refuge to persecuted South African farmers following President Trump's decision to suspend aid over property confiscation legislation. The legislation allows the South African government to acquire agricultural land without compensation, which Trump claims targets white landowners.

Hindus for America First has endorsed Donald Trump and will campaign against Kamala Harris in key battleground states. The group raises concerns about Harris's potential impact on Indo-US relations, while praising Trump's pro-India stance, including his efforts to strengthen defense ties with India and acknowledge Hindu persecution globally.

Amid claims of persecution reaching Washington, white Afrikaners in South Africa express feelings of threat in the post-apartheid era, citing "reverse racism" and concerns over language and economic policies. While some fear a bleak future and welcome international attention, others dismiss these concerns as unfounded, emphasizing the thriving Afrikaans culture and advocating for integration and reconciliation within South Africa.

Nearly 50,000 Indians became naturalized US citizens in fiscal year 2024, securing the second-highest spot after Mexico. These new citizens, many of Gujarati origin, often reside in states like California and Texas, drawn by opportunities in technology and healthcare. This growth reflects a continuing trend of Indian immigrants establishing themselves within the American landscape.

The Department of Homeland Security has ended deportation protections for approximately 1,400 Yemenis under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Citing national interest and a return to TPS's original intent, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated Yemen no longer meets the requirements for the designation. This move leaves only four countries with TPS protections.

As the US marks the 80th anniversary of the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act, thousands of Chinese immigrants are crossing the US-Mexico border after witnessing a decline in the Chinese economy. From January through September, over 24,000 Chinese migrants crossed the border without authorization, about 13 times the number recorded during the same period last year. Chinese migrants who cross into the US without authorization usually wait for agents from the US Border Patrol to pick them up. Chinese migrants were granted asylum nearly 67% of the time in immigration courts over the past two decades.

Releasing a 82-page report, the human rights body's South Asia director Meenakhshi Ganguly said the newly amended law violates India's international obligations to prevent deprivation of citizenship on the basis of race, colour, descent, nation or ethnicity.

Under a US program initiated by Donald Trump, the first white South Africans, or Afrikaners, have departed for resettlement in the United States. This follows claims of persecution against white South Africans, despite their continued privilege and wealth disparity compared to Black South Africans.