The Trump administration has welcomed a group of Afrikaners seeking asylum in the US, raising questions about the criteria for refugee status amid ongoing debates about discrimination and violence in South Africa.

President Trump signed an executive order telling white Afrikaans South Africans they could apply for refugee status in the U.S. The first group has been swiftly processed and is set to arrive on U.S.

In a statement provided to OSV News, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington said that it was "providing limited and temporary assistance to South Africans traveling through Dulles International Airport this week to final destinations elsewhere.

The Episcopal Church says it will not assist with the resettlement of white South Africans and will end its government partnership to support refugees. The church's presiding bishop, Sean Rowe, explains why.

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said Afrikaners cannot survive culturally in the United States or in any other country after 49 Afrikaners went to the US as refugees.

The first group of South African Afrikaners have officially touched down in the United States of America. Armed with US flags, the group listened intently as they were welcomed at the Dulles Airport in Virginia following their flight from Johannesburg.