Trump Administration Plans to Admit 17,500 Refugees, Primarily From South Africa
The Trump administration has informed Congress of its plan to admit 17,500 refugees, predominantly white individuals from South Africa.
Burlington Plattsburgh, VT, September 22, 2026 —
The Trump administration has formally notified Congress of its intention to admit 17,500 refugees into the United States. According to the notification, the plan prioritizes individuals from South Africa, with a specific emphasis on those who are white.
The number of refugees to be admitted and the demographic focus were communicated to lawmakers. Further details regarding the specific timeline, the agencies responsible for implementing the plan, or the criteria for selecting these individuals beyond their origin and race were not immediately available. The notification to Congress is a standard procedural step for refugee admission ceilings and policy changes.
The administration’s proposed refugee intake figure and its demographic emphasis are subject to review and potential debate by members of Congress. The specific implications and the process for vetting and admitting this group of refugees remain to be detailed. Information regarding the official date of the notification to Congress was not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by REBECCA SANTANA and SEUNG MIN KIM, Associated Press on www.mychamplainvalley.com, see more information here.
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