'I didn't come here for fun' - Afrikaner defends refugee status in US

Charl Kleinhaus, a 46-year-old man from South Africa, has recently relocated to the United States, leaving behind his family farm in Mpumalanga, a region celebrated for its stunning landscapes and wildlife. Now, he finds himself residing in a modest hotel near a busy highway in America. Charl, along with many other white South Africans, has come to the US under a controversial policy initiated by former President Donald Trump, which aims to protect them from what they claim is discrimination in their home country. However, the South African government has firmly rejected these allegations. Charl explains that he felt compelled to leave South Africa after receiving death threats through WhatsApp messages. He shared, 'I had to leave a five-bedroom house, which I will lose now,' emphasizing the sacrifices he made, including leaving behind his car, his dogs, and even his mother. He firmly states, 'I didn't come here for fun. ' For Charl, the situation in Buffalo, New York, already feels like an improvement, as he believes his children are now safe. Tragically, his wife passed away in a car accident in 2006, and he is now focused on ensuring a secure future for his children. The plight of white farmers in South Africa has become a rallying point for certain factions within American politics, particularly among those who support Trump. They argue that white farmers are facing a 'genocide' in South Africa, a claim that has been widely discredited by many. In February, Trump signed an executive order granting refugee status to Afrikaners like Charl, who he claims are being persecuted. Charl was among a group of 59 individuals who arrived at Dulles Airport near Washington, D. C. , after their applications were expedited by the Trump administration. He expressed surprise at the speed of his arrival in the US and conveyed gratitude towards Trump, stating, 'I felt finally somebody in this world is seeing what's going on. ' Upon arrival, he and his family were welcomed with red, white, and blue balloons, a gesture he described as 'overwhelming. ' Afrikaners are a white ethnic minority who held power in South Africa during the apartheid era, a system of racial segregation that was officially dismantled in 1994. Despite the end of apartheid, black farmers still own only a small portion of the country's prime farmland, with the majority remaining in white hands. This has led to frustration and anger over the slow pace of change. Charl acknowledges that black South Africans have also faced hardships, but he insists, 'I had nothing to do with apartheid. Nothing, nothing, nothing. ' In January, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa enacted a controversial law allowing the government to seize privately owned land without compensation under certain conditions deemed 'equitable and in the public interest. ' While the South African government claims that no land has been seized yet, Charl argues that once the government lays claim to your land, it becomes impossible to function. He stated, 'Your land becomes worthless - the land expropriation has gone too far. ' He expressed concern that many Afrikaners who criticize him live in a bubble and do not understand the real dangers. Some of his fellow Afrikaners have labeled Charl and his group as opportunists, arguing that experiencing crime does not equate to the kind of persecution that warrants refugee status. Charl admits that the murder rate of farmers in South Africa is low, but he does not want to become a victim. He recounted receiving threats from local community members, stating, 'I'd regularly get messages on WhatsApp saying, 'we'll get rid of you, you're on my land. ' He shared that one message he received before leaving for the US read, 'We are coming for you, you better be awake. ' Additionally, he reported that his farming equipment was damaged, and local police did not respond to his complaints. President Ramaphosa has referred to the group that traveled to the US as 'cowards,' asserting that they are avoiding the responsibility of addressing the inequalities stemming from the apartheid era. He stated, 'As South Africans, we are resilient. We don't run away from our problems. We must stay here and solve our problems. ' The relocation of Afrikaners to the US has sparked controversy, especially since other refugees, such as Afghans, have been denied entry. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) justified this decision by claiming that the security and economic situation in Afghanistan has improved, despite criticism from opposition lawmakers and human rights organizations. Charl expressed sympathy for the Afghans, saying, 'I mean, I feel sorry for the Afghans that they can't get here. ' He understands that there is a process for refugees and believes that those approved will be taken care of. He also expressed concern about being used as a political pawn by Trump and the possibility that a future president could reverse this decision. He admitted, 'Yeah, it is scary, but I am a religious person. Just to be in this first group is an act of God, I believe, because there was a 0. 0 something percent chance that you were selected for the first call. ' Charl has faced scrutiny for antisemitic posts he made on social media, which he has since deleted. He explained that he copied someone else's thoughts while under the influence of morphine for medical treatment, although he acknowledged that this was not an excuse. He stated that the 2023 post was made in a moment of anger after viewing a video that purportedly showed some Jews spitting at Christians in Israel. Charl insists that his comments were specific to that moment and not a broader statement about Jewish people. 'Even now, if I see any person going against my religion, I will speak up against it,' he asserted. The US government is facing questions regarding the vetting process for those being resettled. The UN's refugee agency informed the BBC that it was not involved in the screening process for the Afrikaners, which is typically the case for refugees coming to the US. The DHS has previously stated that it screens immigrants' social media activity for antisemitism and uses it as a basis for denying applicants. The Trump administration has cited allegations of antisemitism while arresting and attempting to deport pro-Palestinian activists in recent months. A senior DHS official stated, 'The Department of Homeland Security vets all refugee applicants. Any claims of misconduct are thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action will be taken as necessary. DHS does not comment on individual application status. ' Since returning to office, Trump has initiated a crackdown on immigration more broadly. When asked if he is concerned about backlash against his group for being granted entry to the US, Charl replied, 'People must not think we are just taking advantage of this. We come here to make a contribution to the country. ' He expressed confidence in his situation, stating, 'I'm not worried it'll fall apart because I believe this is God's plan for me. My life is in his hands. And if he didn't want me to come, I wouldn't be here.