Marco Rubio Announces US Visa Restrictions Targeting South Africans Over Race-Based Discrimination

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States would impose visa restrictions on selected foreign nationals from South Africa, targeting those the administration says are responsible for, or complicit in, laws and policies that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, and/or the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday the U.S. was announcing a new visa restriction policy”

Reuters

Reuters reported that Rubio said the South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns, while the Reuters account said the South African embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

BBC

The BBC said Rubio told reporters that the South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns, and that the visa restrictions would target those who promote "race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation in South Africa."

In a statement, Rubio said the United States would not allow such behavior to go unchecked, and the BBC added that Rubio did not immediately name any individuals targeted by the restrictions.

The South African government has strongly rejected the U.S. allegations, calling the claims made by the administration since President Donald Trump returned to office last year baseless and the result of misinformation, according to WSLS.

WSLS quoted Rubio saying, "The United States will not allow such behavior to go unchecked," and said the actions directly undermine peace, economic stability, and the rule of law.

CNN

The BBC reported that South Africa has repeatedly denied the claim that it is persecuting white people or confiscating their land, and it said the South African government is yet to respond to the U.S. restrictions.

In the BBC account, the U.S. embassy in Pretoria warned that the new visa restrictions were the beginning of tougher measures, adding: "This visa restriction policy is only the first step in a series of escalatory measures that will show America's firm resolve in this matter."

The Reuters report said Pretoria says there is no evidence of discrimination or persecution against white people and that ideas of white racial superiority are a threat to South Africa's post-apartheid unity, its sovereignty and its diplomatic relations.

The BBC described the visa curbs as part of a downward spiral in relations since Trump returned to office early last year, including cutting aid, expelling the South African ambassador, and offering "refuge" to white South Africans fleeing "persecution."

“offering "refuge" to white South Africans fleeing "persecution."”

BBC

In the Reuters account, Rubio’s statement did not identify any person by name, but it framed the restrictions as targeting foreign nationals tied to policies that enable uncompensated land seizures and incitement of imminent violence.

WSLS said the visa restrictions would revoke U.S. visas or reject visa applications from foreign nationals found responsible for or complicit in laws and policies that allow for uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination and the incitement of violence against minority ethnic and racial groups in South Africa.

The BBC added that Trump offered refugee status to Afrikaners last year after Ramaphosa signed a law allowing the government to seize land without compensation in rare instances, and it said the legislation provides for circumstances in which compensation may be set at zero.

Reuters reported that the U.S. has criticized South Africa over its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and it said the visa curb policy is being announced as ties cool between the two countries.