What happens now after Elon Musk's rant?

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Elon Musk’s fallout with US President Donald Trump has sparked concern for Afrikaner “refugees” who arrived in the US last month.

To date, two groups of white South Africans have resettled in the country under a programme signed off by the president.

Elon is cited as “influencing” Trump on claims of “white genocide”, “farm confiscation,” and “racist laws” happening in his country of birth. However, all of these contentious issues have been disputed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Could the feud between the world’s richest man and the world’s most powerful man halt the refugee plans, or possibly see the “persecuted” South Africans deported back home?

CONCERN FOR AFRIKANER ‘REFUGEES’ AMID ELON MUSK RANT

On Thursday, 5 June, Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s feud over a clash in the legislature reached a boiling point.

On the X platform – owned by Elon – many wondered what would become of the Afrikaner refugees whose plea to be freed of “persecution” was aided by the two men.

For many, this was a running joke about the “misinformation” that has been spread about South Africa.

Comedian David Kau posted: “I stand with the 49 Afrikaner Americans in these difficult times”.

Comedic puppet Chester Missing added: “Elon and Trump getting divorced? So tragic. Who keeps the Afrikaner refugees?”

Here’s what others had to say…

CAN THEY BE DEPORTED?

With President Trump threatening to cut all government contracts to Elon Musk, and possibly distance himself from him altogether, what does this mean for the Afrikaner “refugees” already in the US?

The group of white South Africans was offered asylum based on proving their fear of persecution on the grounds of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

Elon Musk’s ties to Trump have been irreparably severed. What happens to Afrikaner ‘refugees’ now?
Images via X: @usembassysa

Under US and international immigration laws, refugees who have received asylum cannot simply be deported to their country of persecution. Legislation also strongly protects their rights to stay in their new adoptive country.

However, their status can be terminated should they be found guilty of serious crimes or if they fraudulently sought asylum.

CAN THEY VOLUNTARILY RETURN HOME?

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there are stringent travel restrictions in place for asylum seekers.

In the case of Afrikaners, returning to South Africa – their country of “persecution” – could come at their peril: there is no guarantee of their readmission into the US.

Returning to SA could also be considered evidence that the refugee’s alleged fear of persecution is not genuine.�