South Africa has accused the US of using Kenyan nationals who did not have work permits at a facility processing applications by white South Africans for refugee status. Seven Kenyans were arrested after intelligence reports revealed that people 'had recently entered South Africa on tourist visas and had illegally taken up work' at the center, according to a statement from South Africa's Department of Home Affairs. While the US attempts to reduce overall migration, it claims members of South Africa's white Afrikaner community can seek asylum due to persecution—an assertion South African authorities strongly contest. The US has lowered its annual refugee intake from 125,000 to 7,500, yet prioritizes Afrikaners, mostly descendants of Dutch and French settlers. The arrested Kenyan nationals are set for deportation and a five-year entry ban. South Africa emphasized the importance of combating illegal immigration and will begin formal discussions with the US and Kenya over the incident, which reportedly involved no US officials being arrested at a diplomatic site.
US Faces Accusations of Exploiting Illegal Workers in South Africa
US Faces Accusations of Exploiting Illegal Workers in South Africa
The South African government alleges that the US is employing Kenyan nationals without work permits at a refugee processing center, raising concerns over illegal immigration practices.
South Africa has accused the US of employing Kenyan nationals illegally at a facility for processing refugee claims from white South Africans. Seven Kenyans were arrested for working without proper permits while the US continues to prioritize white Afrikaners for asylum despite a significant reduction in overall refugee admissions. South Africa has begun formal diplomatic engagements in response to the incident.
