Johannesburg authorities have arrested seven Kenyan nationals for working illegally at a centre processing applications for the U.S. refugee program, South Africa’s Home Affairs Ministry confirmed Wednesday. The facility handles applications from white South Africans under a program established by the Trump administration, which prioritizes their resettlement in the United States. The Kenyans, who entered South Africa on tourist visas, were working alongside U.S. officials despite lacking work authorization. No U.S. personnel were arrested, and the centre is not considered a diplomatic site.
South Africa’s Home Affairs Ministry said the presence of foreign nationals working illegally raises “serious questions about intent and diplomatic protocol.” The ministry added that these Kenyans had previously been denied visas to work on the U.S. refugee program and noted that the situation prompted formal diplomatic discussions with the U.S. and Kenya. The seven arrested individuals have been issued deportation orders and banned from re-entering South Africa for five years.
The U.S. program was created after former President Donald Trump claimed, without evidence, that white Afrikaners in South Africa face violent persecution. While the South African government rejects these claims, it allows citizens to apply for relocation under the U.S. program. According to the U.S. Embassy in South Africa, the government contracted Kenya-based RSC Africa, run by the U.S.-based Church World Service, to process refugee applications. Church World Service provides humanitarian aid and refugee support globally. South African officials warned that the raid could strain U.S.–South Africa relations, emphasizing the importance of following proper immigration and diplomatic protocols.
