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.

Citing “race-based discrimination,” U.S. officials welcomed 59 Afrikaners—while ongoing bans continue to block displaced people from countries like Sudan and Afghanistan.

The South African government said the U.S. allegations that Afrikaners are being persecuted are "completely false."