The Trump administration will limit the number of refugees admitted to the US to 7,500 over the next year, and give priority to white South Africans.

The move, announced in a notice published on Thursday, marks a dramatic cut from the previous limit of 125,000 set by former President Joe Biden, bringing the cap to a record low.

No reason was given for the cut, but the notice said it was justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.

In January, Trump signed an executive order suspending the US Refugee Admissions Programme, or USRAP, claiming it would allow US authorities to prioritise national security and public safety.

The previous lowest refugee admissions cap was 15,000 for fiscal year 2021, set by Trump’s earlier administration.

The notice from the Federal Register stated that the 7,500 admissions would primarily be allocated to Afrikaner South Africans and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands.

Earlier this year, Trump controversially announced a suspension of critical aid to South Africa, offering to allow members of the Afrikaner community, predominantly white descendants of early settlers, to settle in the US as refugees.

South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was expelled after condemning Trump for what he described as 'mobilising supremacism' while trying to portray white victimhood.

During a prior meeting with South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump alleged persecution against white farmers in South Africa, a claim that has been vigorously denied by the South African government.

The announcement follows a tense backdrop of past claims about the murder of white farmers, which have been contested regarding their accuracy.

Critics, including refugee advocacy groups, claim that this policy severely limits the U.S. commitment to helping persecuted groups globally, favoring one demographic over others. The Global Refuge CEO called the move a lowering of the country’s moral standing, particularly amid crises seen in regions like Afghanistan and Sudan.

Refugees International has condemned this decision, stating that it undermines both the intent of refugee protection and American values.

As the U.S. faces scrutiny over this policy shift, questions remain about its impact on future asylum seekers from other at-risk populations.