Episcopal Church says it won't help resettle white South Africans
granted refugee status in US
[May 13, 2025]
By PETER SMITH
The Episcopal Church's migration service is refusing a directive from
the federal government to help resettle white South Africans granted
refugee status, citing the church's longstanding “commitment to racial
justice and reconciliation.”
Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe announced the step Monday, shortly before 59
South Africans arrived at Dulles International Airport outside
Washington on a private charter plane and were greeted by a government
delegation.
Episcopal Migration Ministries instead will halt its decades-long
partnership with the government, Rowe said.
President Donald Trump opened a fast-tracked refugee status to white
South Africans, accusing their government of discrimination, even as his
administration abruptly shut down the overall U.S. refugee program. The
South Africans jumped ahead of thousands of would-be refugees overseas
who had been undergoing years of vetting and processing.
Episcopal Migration Ministries has long resettled refugees under federal
grants. Rowe said that about two weeks ago, the government contacted it
and said it expected the ministry to resettle some of the South Africans
under terms of its grant.
“In light of our church’s steadfast commitment to racial justice and
reconciliation and our historic ties with the Anglican Church of
Southern Africa, we are not able to take this step,” Rowe said.
“Accordingly, we have determined that, by the end of the federal fiscal
year, we will conclude our refugee resettlement grant agreements with
the U.S. federal government.”
Another faith-based group, Church World Service, said it is open to
helping resettle the Afrikaners.
South Africa's government has vehemently denied allegations of
discriminatory treatment of its white minority residents.
“It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a
highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others
who have been waiting in refugee camps or dangerous conditions for
years,” Rowe said. “I am saddened and ashamed that many of the refugees
who are being denied entrance to the United States are brave people who
worked alongside our military in Iraq and Afghanistan and now face
danger at home because of their service to our country.”
He also said many refugees, including Christians, are victims of
religious persecution and are now denied entry.
He said the church would find other ways to serve immigrants, such as
those already in this country and those stranded overseas.
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White South Africans demonstrate in support of U.S. President Donald
Trump in front of the U.S. embassy in Pretoria, South Africa,
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)
The move marks the end of a ministry-government partnership that,
for nearly four decades, has served nearly 110,000 refugees from
countries, including Ukraine, Myanmar and Congo, Rowe said.
It's not the first high-profile friction between the Episcopal
Church and the Trump administration. Bishop Mariann Budde of
Washington drew Trump's anger in January at an inaugural prayer
service in which she urged “mercy” on those fearing his actions,
including migrants and LGBTQ+ children.
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa includes churches in South
Africa and neighboring countries. It was a potent force in the
campaign against apartheid in the 1980s and 1990s, an effort for
which the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu received the Nobel Peace
Prize in 1984.
Another faith-based refugee agency, Church World Service, says it is
open to serving the South African arrivals.
“We are concerned that the U.S. Government has chosen to fast-track
the admission of Afrikaners, while actively fighting court orders to
provide life-saving resettlement to other refugee populations who
are in desperate need of resettlement," Rick Santos, CWS president
and CEO, said in a statement.
He added that the action proves the government knows how to screen
and process refugees quickly.
“Despite the Administration’s actions, CWS remains committed to
serving all eligible refugee populations seeking safety in the
United States, including Afrikaners who are eligible for services,"
he said. “Our faith compels us to serve each person in our care with
dignity and compassion.”
The Episcopal ministry and CWS are among 10 national groups, most of
them faith-based, that have partnered with the government for
refugee resettlement.
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Associated Press writer Tiffany Stanley contributed reporting.
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