Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced tightened visa restrictions against certain foreign nationals connected to South African government policies that the Trump administration says discriminate white farmers.
The policy, announced September 15, invokes Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The provision gives the Secretary of State authority to restrict the entry of foreign nationals whose admission could have potentially serious adverse consequences for U.S. foreign policy.
Rubio says the restrictions apply to individuals responsible for, or complicit in, enacting or implementing policies that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, or the incitement of imminent violence against minority groups in South Africa.
The restrictions can apply to government officials as well as potentially private citizens who meet those criteria. Certain family members may also be affected.
The administration has cited attacks on white South African farmers and its concerns about the treatment of the Afrikaner minority. However, South Africa rejects allegations of systematic persecution, saying its land reform and other policies are intended to address inequalities created by apartheid.
The policy does not impose a blanket visa ban on South African citizens. The State Department's announcement also did not identify specific individuals targeted.
The move adds to growing tensions between Washington and Pretoria over racial policy, land reform and the direction of South Africa's government. EBS Public Now +3