South African officials have cast the move as a politically motivated attempt to discredit the country. The Trump administration has criticized the South African government for having a close relationship with Iran and for its stance against Israel.

President Trump has alleged that “genocide” is being committed against white farmers in the majority Black country. South African has denied such claims.

While President Donald Trump has effectively halted all other U.S. refugee programs, he is bringing white South Africans to the U.S. as refugees. Pauline Bax, African program deputy director for the International Crisis Group,