One of the first white South African refugees to arrive in the United States on Monday has sparked controversy due to alleged antisemitic comments made on social media. Charl Kleinhaus, 46, arrived in Washington on a chartered jet along with other Afrikaners, the white ethnic minority that governed during apartheid. This group was granted refuge in the U.S. by an administration that has been criticized for its stringent immigration policies towards other groups, such as Afghan allies of American forces.
Kleinhaus cited “safety reasons” as the motivation for leaving South Africa, claiming that white South Africans have faced discrimination, including job opportunities being denied and experiencing racial violence. However, the specifics of the refugees’ situations remain unclear. Following their arrival in Washington, Kleinhaus and his family traveled to Buffalo, NY.
In a now-deleted social media post from April 2023, an account linked to Kleinhaus made derogatory remarks about Jews, calling them “untrustworthy” and “a dangerous group.” The account also shared a mix of pro-Trump content and posts both supporting and criticizing Israel.
Kleinhaus acknowledged that the account belonged to him in an interview with The Bulwark, a conservative news outlet critical of Trump. He attempted to distance himself from the antisemitic comments, claiming they were made in error and stating, “I am from Jewish descendants.”
The Department of Homeland Security had announced plans to screen foreigners’ social media for antisemitic content as a basis for denying immigration requests. This initiative has targeted individuals like pro-Palestinian activists and international students, leading to legal battles over deportation and residency status.
Despite the controversy surrounding Kleinhaus’s social media activity, the Department of Homeland Security has not commented on whether he will face consequences for his remarks. The department affirmed that all refugee applicants are vetted, and any allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated.
The South African government has refuted claims by the Trump administration that Afrikaners qualify as refugees due to genocide, citing lack of evidence supporting mass killings. While refugee admission programs were initially halted under Trump, Afrikaners have been granted approval for resettlement at a rapid pace.
The arrival of 59 Afrikaner refugees in the U.S. on Monday via a U.S.-paid charter flight has raised concerns and prompted scrutiny of the administration’s immigration policies. The situation remains complex and controversial, with ongoing debates about the treatment of different refugee groups and the criteria for granting refuge in the United States.
