“Afrikaner refugee” Errol Langton has conceded that while the group of white South Africans “ticked all the boxes” of being granted asylum in the US, he does believe that they were “given special treatment”.
The fresh-produce farmer, who has had his own IT business, also admits to feeling “guilty”
Langton was part of the first group to leave South Africa last month. He and his nine family members are currently resettled in Alabama.
AFRIKANER REFUGEE: ‘WE GOT A BIT OF SPECIAL TREATMENT’
Speaking to eNCA’s Annika Larsen, Errol Langton discussed the backlash the group of Afrikaner refugees has received, both from the public and the media.
Much of the criticism has centred around the group’s claims of being “persecuted” in South Africa, on the basis of their race.
In February, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, fast-tracking their refugee status, over his claims of “racial discrimination” in SA.
When asked if the Afrikaners were given preference over other refugees and displaced people from around the world, Errol said: “It wasn’t a decision we made. We didnt go to Trump and say ‘drop everybody else and take us’. There comes a certain amount of guilt.
“I do feel we got a little bit of special treatment, but there is nuance and circumstances around it.
Images via Facebook: Errol Langton
Errol added that “anyone who is in persecution, regardless of their race, should have an option to the opportunity”.
He also compared South Africa’s state of affairs to a war-torn Ukraine.
He continued: “South Africa is trying to cover everything up. There is a form of civil war going on, and innocent South Africans are getting murdered”.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE US
While there have been mixed reports on what awaits the many Afrikaner refugees in the US, Errol Langton did clarify that any financial assistance they received would be short-lived.
He said, “We are starting over from scratch. We have no resources that we can call on. We are getting some support through our case work from the start, but that has a three-month timeline on it.
“If we haven’t figured out what we’re going to do in that time, then we’re going to be in trouble”.
REFUGEE PROGRAMME CLOSED TO OTHER COUNTRIES
While Afrikaner “refugees” were granted a pass into the US, the Trump administration has indefinitely halted the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to all other countries.
A month before an Executive Order permitting white South Africans to seek asylum in America was signed, the US’s State and Homeland Security paused applications for all refugees into the country.
A month later, the Welcome Corps – a refugee government programme introduced by the Joe Biden administration – was terminated.
On social media, Americans themselves have questioned the rationale behind Trump’s decisions.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT AFRIKANER ‘REFUGEES’ ARE JUSTIFIED IN WANTING TO FLEE SA?
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