Documents Required

23 May 2025

Refugees generally need to produce several key documents during the asylum application process and while seeking status. These include proof of identity, a travel document (if available), and a completed application form. Depending on the situation, other documents like marriage certificates, proof of financial support, or birth certificates might also be required. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Mandatory Documents:
• Proof of Identity: This could be an original passport, an ID card from the country of origin, or other official identification documents.
• Travel Document (if available): If the asylum seeker has a passport or other travel document, they should provide it.
Application Form: A completed application form is required to officially apply for asylum.
• Biometrics: Fingerprints and other biometric information may be required for processing.
• Asylum Seeker Permit: Once the asylum application is initiated, an asylum seeker permit or visa is issued.
• First Interview: A formal interview with a Refugee Reception Officer (RRO) is conducted, and the BI-1590 form is completed.
• Data and Image Capture: Applicant data and images are captured in the refugee system.

Optional Documents:
Marriage Certificates/Proof of Relationship: If applicable, these documents can be required to demonstrate familial connections. Divorce Decrees: Divorce decrees might be needed in certain situations.
• Proof of Financial Support: If the applicant is relying on someone else for financial support, they may need to provide proof.
• Birth Certificates: Unabridged birth certificates may be requested.
• Affidavits: Affidavits may be needed in various situations, such as name changes or explaining aliases.
• Proof of Five Years Continuous Refugee Status: If applying for permanent residency, proof of five years of continuous refugee status may be required.
Other supporting documents: Depending on individual circumstances, other documents may be needed to support the application.

US Applicant Statement of Interest

23 May 2025

US Applicant Statement of Interest

Please use the above link to state that you are interested in the refugee program. I think most people selected the first and 6th checkboxes.

US Supplemental Security Income for refugees

19 March 2025

When considering the amount a refugee who is too old to work might receive, the primary program to focus on is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Here's a concise overview:

SSI Basics:
SSI provides a minimum income to aged (65 or older), blind, or disabled individuals with limited income and resources.   The federal government sets the base SSI amount.

Federal Benefit Rates:
As of 2024, the federal SSI payment is $943 per month for an eligible individual.  
This amount can change annually.

Factors Affecting the Amount:
State supplementary payments: Some states add to the federal SSI amount, so the total benefit can vary.  
Income and resources: SSI is a needs-based program, so any other income or resources the refugee has will affect the amount they receive.
eligibility status: non citizens have very specific rules that they must meet, and also there can be time limitations placed on their eligibility.  

Important Notes:
Eligibility for SSI for refugees is subject to specific rules and restrictions related to their immigration status.
Therefore, while the federal amount provides a base line, the actual amount a refugee receives can vary.
In summary, a refugee who is too old to work may be eligible for SSI, with a federal base rate of $943 per month in 2024, but the actual amount can vary depending on their circumstances and state of residence.  

Sources:
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-over-ussi.htm
https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-much-does-supplemental-security-income-ssi-pay/#:~:text=For%20an%20eligible%20person%3A%20%24943,up%20from%20%241%2C371%20in%202023)
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html

CapeXit: A Message of Calm and Unity from CapeXit Leadership

19 March 2025

During these turbulent times in South Africa and the Western Cape, we understand the uncertainty and vulnerability that many of you may be feeling. As CapeXit, we want to assure you that we remain steadfast in our mission and committed to the lawful and democratic process of seeking independence for the Western Cape.

We urge you to remain calm and refrain from engaging in negative political rhetoric. Social media is filled with various opinions and statements, some of which escalate into harmful debates. As a movement, CapeXit remains strictly non-political and respects the diverse views within our supporter base. We must act responsibly, ensuring that our engagements remain respectful, mature, and, above all, lawful.

It has come to our attention that certain groups are using public forums to spread fear, solicit funds, and undermine our efforts by disrespecting the government and constitution. Such actions put the independence movement at unnecessary risk and attract labels that do not serve our cause. We urge you to stay clear of emotionally charged comments and refrain from engaging in discussions that could harm not only yourself but also your fellow citizens. CapeXit remains fully committed to achieving independence through legal, constitutional, and peaceful means. Our strategy is based on democratic principles and lawful engagement, ensuring that our movement continues to gain the respect and recognition it deserves.

We appreciate your unwavering support and encourage you to remain level-headed and focused on our collective goal. Let us stand united, act with integrity, and continue to work towards an independent future that benefits all.

Thank you for your dedication to our cause.
CapeXit Exco
Do it right now. Own your future.

Breaking News - Proto Persona Interviews at US Embassy

19 March 2025

(Application email address: pretoriaprminfo@state.gov)
Breaking news. Some people have been interviewed by the US embassy. It looks like things are moving
For those who have not applied, please apply. Let every adult in your family apply separately.
Make sure that you have the following documents, there is still time to get them:
• Passport for each applicant.
• SA ID
• Pysical documents you want to present for your case.
We anticipate further documentation will be needed later in the program, and we will provide details at that time.
As far as we know, right now, not everyone will be interviewed.
There is a clear indication that more documentataion will be required later as the program progresses that will be announced later. The US State Dept is just gathering information from people who applied without actually interviewing everyone.

Latest update: U.S. Department of State is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security

12 March 2025

https://za.usembassy.gov/

Consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order on Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa, the U.S. Department of State is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to promote and prioritize humanitarian relief, including consideration of eligibility for admission and resettlement to the United States for Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination. We appreciate your patience as we await further instructions on the implementation of the executive order. We will share more information as it becomes available. Please monitor our website at Homepage - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in South Africa for any updates and the latest Embassy news and information. You can email PretoriaPRMInfo@state.gov for more information.

Botswana

10 March 2025

Did you know in Botswana
• In Botswana, citizens get free land, free healthcare, and free education.
University students receive $154 in allowances monthly.
• It has low debt.
• It has Africa's best Police service.
• It is an upper-middle-income country.
• It has Africa's highest credit rating.
• It is one of the safest countries in Africa.
• Citizens have visa-free access or visa-on-arrival status to 87 countries including the UK.

Urgent reasons to leave South Africa now

26 February 2025

Here's a consolidated overview of the urgent reasons driving individuals to consider leaving South Africa, combining the initial points with the expanded list: The confluence of economic, security, and societal factors creates a sense of urgency for many South Africans.

Economic and Financial Crisis:
Currency Devaluation:

• The imminent threat of the South African Rand devaluing significantly (e.g., to R50 per USD) creates a fear of being financially trapped.

Impending Economic Collapse:
• The country's precarious financial state, characterized by potential bankruptcy, disinvestment, and sanctions, paints a bleak economic future.

Unemployment Crisis:
• Alarmingly high unemployment rates, especially among youth, fuel social unrest and limit future prospects.

Deteriorating Public Services:
• The decline of essential services (electricity, water, sanitation) disrupts daily life and erodes trust in government.

Education System Decline:
• The public education system is in decline, causing many to seek education outside of the country.

Taxpayer Burden:
• A shrinking tax base and government mismanagement increase the financial strain on remaining taxpayers.

Capital Flight:
• The outflow of financial capital further destabilizes the economy.

Expropriation of Property:
• The potential for government expropriation of movable and immovable property creates significant financial uncertainty.

Decline of Infrastructure:
• Roads, rail ways, and ports are declining, making business and transportation difficult.
  

Security and Safety Concerns:
Escalating Violent Crime:
• High levels of violent crime, including aggravated robbery, carjackings, and assaults, foster a pervasive sense of insecurity.

Farm Attacks and Murders:
• Targeted violence against farming communities creates a climate of fear.

Political Instability and Social Unrest:
• The potential for widespread social unrest due to economic hardship and inequality poses a significant threat.

Erosion of the Rule of Law:
• Perceived corruption and a weakening of institutions erode confidence in the justice system.

Social and Political Factors:
Racial Tensions and Polarization:
• Persistent racial tensions, exacerbated by economic inequality and political rhetoric, contribute to social division.

Concerns about Future Governance:
• Uncertainty about the country's political direction and potential policy changes creates anxiety.

Healthcare Collapse:
• The public healthcare system's decline, coupled with the exodus of healthcare professionals, raises serious concerns about access to quality healthcare.

Urgency:
The perception that the window of opportunity to leave the country is closing due to financial constraints and potential travel restrictions fuels a sense of urgency.
In essence, the combined weight of these factors creates a feeling that the quality of life, safety, and future prospects are rapidly deteriorating, pushing many to seek a more stable and secure environment elsewhere.

Email to Argentinian Commission for Refugees

26 February 2025

To: secretaria.conare@migraciones.gov.ar
Subject: Refugees from South Africa to Argentina

Dear Sir/Madam

As you probably know, President Donald Trump recently offered to take Afrikaaners from South Africa as refugees in the US. We represent a potentially large group of Afrikaaner and English speaking South Afiricans who are looking for an alternative destination for refuge. Our circumstances have been in the news lately and here are some of the South African laws and other issues that driving us to look for refuge:


• Expropriation of movable or immovable property without compensation causing us to live in constant fear that our houses and investments would be taken from us without compensation.
• Restrictive laws that overwhelmingly favour black ethnic groups for jobs, making it extremely difficult for other races to find employment.
• Government officials and other influential black leaders calling for execution of white farmers.
• Living in fear that we will be further exploited and stripped of basic human rights by this government.

The South Africans that want to find refuge are good law abiding people, many of whom are highly skilled with an extremely good work ethic. The vast majority will not be a burden on the country who grants them refuge because they have resources, savings, investments and skills and are just scared for the future.

These South Africans would be an enormous asset to your government, should you give them refuge. It is interesting that in the distant past, Argentina took a large number of South Africans under similar circumstances.

Yours Sincerely Deon Joubert

Solidarity, AfriForum ask Trump to fund an Afrikaner settlement.

26 February 2025

Today, the Solidarity Movement, AfriForum and Solidarity met with senior representatives of the Trump administration in the White House to fight for the interests of Afrikaners and South Africa. There will also be meetings with other prominent decision makers and opinion makers in the coming days. AfriForum and the rest of the Solidarity Movement’s delegation is in the USA to thank the Trump administration for the recognition given to Afrikaners as a people / cultural community and the discrimination to which Afrikaners are subjected, and to show appreciation for the Trump administration’s willingness to offer humanitarian assistance to Afrikaners. During the visit to the White House, the Trump administration was requested to intensify pressure on ANC leaders to, among other things:
• End discrimination against Afrikaners by, among other things, revising the anti-Afrikaans Bela law and racial legislation.
• Act strongly against hate speech that incites violence such as farm murders in which Afrikaners are the target.
• Respect the right to property ownership by, among other things, revising the Expropriation Act.
• Enter into a cultural agreement with Afrikaners that will provide cultural space for Afrikaners in South Africa, which includes the existence of Afrikaans educational institutions.
The following requests were also made to the Trump administration:
• That humanitarian assistance offered to Afrikaners by the US will also include assistance to Afrikaners who envision a future for themselves at the southernmost tip of Africa.
• That ordinary South Africans should not be punished by stopping AGOA and other aid to ordinary people – the focus should instead be on political leaders who are responsible for reckless policies, and those who are responsible for the large-scale corruption identified by former Chief Justice Zondo’s commission.
• If the USA were to continue to stop South Africa’s participation in AGOA, that direct bilateral agreements are entered into with, for example, agricultural organisations and non-state actors in other sectors to try to limit the negative impact on ordinary citizens of the country.
These requests and others are contained in the Solidarity Movement’s Washington Declaration which was presented to the Trump administration during the visit to the White House. This statement is also fully supported by AfriForum and Solidarity, which are part of the Solidarity Movement.

The US has amended the executive order to include all mintorities in South Africa.

13 February 2025

The the executive order has been amended to include other minorites, like English South Africans, Indians and Coloured people. We are speculating but probably all those who are disadvantaged by BEE.

Communication from the he US Embassy to asarus.co.za.

13 February 2025

Good Day, Thank you for your email about President Trump’s Executive Order regarding eligibility for admission and resettlement to the United States for Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination. Please visit our website at https://zaembassy.gov for updates and address all further inquiries to PretoriaPRMInfo@state.gov . Sincerely, Immigrant Visa Team U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg, South Africa The US has amended the executive order to include all mintorities in South Africa. 2025-02-13 The the executive order has been amended to include other minorites, like English South Africans, Indians and Coloured people. We are speculating byt probably all those who are disadvantaged by BEE.

The differences between Asylum Seekers and Refugees.

12 February 2025

• The difference between asylum and refugee status primarily lies in the location of the applicant and the conditions under which they seek protection.
• Key Differences: Location at Application: Refugees apply for protection while outside the United States and must undergo the United Nations or U.S. government’s refugee admission process. Asylum seekers apply for asylum while they are already in the United States or at a U.S. port of entry.
• Eligibility Criteria: Both refugees and asylees must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The application processes are different, with refugees typically going through a resettlement program before arriving in the U.S.
• Process: Refugee Status: Involves an extensive vetting process by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and may take months or years before resettlement. Asylum Status: Asylum applications can be filed after arriving in the U.S., and applicants can often work while their applications are pending.
• Duration and Rights: Both groups are entitled to certain rights, including the ability to apply for permanent residency after one year, but the pathways and waiting times can differ. By understanding these distinctions, individuals can better navigate the complex immigration system and choose the correct path for seeking protection.
• If you have more questions or need further clarification on any of these points, feel free to ask!e called the US embassy in Pretoria again. They don't have a directive yet. They are waiting to be told what to do. The website state.gov that deals with refugees was disabled when Trump took office, so it's a dead end web page.

We called the US embassy in Pretoria again.

11 February 2025

• We called the US embassy in Pretoria again. They don't have a directive yet. They are waiting to be told what to do. The website state.gov that deals with refugees was disabled when Trump took office, so it's a dead end web page.
• For now you can write to johannesbergiv@state.gov to ask. We have already done that and will let you know the latest. Please keep an eye on social media and let us know on this chat if you hear anything. We will keep calling the embassy too.

Colonel Chris Wyatt YouTube video

11 February 2025

YouTube

This is a transcript of a video by Chris Wyatt from central Pennsylvania discussing an executive order regarding South Africa. Here's a breakdown of the information he presents: Context: Chris created this video due to "frustration" stemming from a perceived lack of clarity regarding an executive order concerning South Africa. He claims that information disseminated by South African media and some individuals is misleading and, in some cases, outright false. He aims to clarify the situation, particularly regarding a refugee program. Key Points:
• Refugee Status vs. Asylum: Chris emphasizes the crucial distinction between refugee status and asylum. Asylum requires being physically present in the US and fearing persecution based on specific grounds (race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group membership). He states asylum seekers cannot legally work in the US, alleging this system has been abused.
• Proof of Persecution: Chris argues that while persecution or fear of it is a factor in refugee status determination, US law does not require individuals to definitively prove persecution. He advises against relying on South African legal interpretations he deems misleading.
• Eligibility (Initially Aferkoners, then Minorities): The executive order initially identified Afrikaners as eligible for refugee status. Chris states that this definition was later broadened to include minorities, as reflected on the US Embassy in Pretoria's website. He points out the ambiguity and potential for varying interpretations. He stresses that neither he, nor the individuals themselves, determine their Afrikaner identity; the US Departments of State and Homeland Security make this assessment.
• Required Documents: While unable to give a definitive answer, Chris suggests that passports are likely required for the refugee program. He highlights the US government's ability to issue travel documents in crisis situations when refugees lack identification. He also discusses the documentation of skills and qualifications for professional certifications once in the US.
• Application Process: Chris emphasizes that there is currently no application process available. He warns against contacting US embassies or consulates at this stage, advising potential applicants to await further guidance and apply online when the program is established. He expresses concern about potential backlash against minorities in South Africa and advises against congregating at US embassies.
• Waiting Time: Chris states the processing time is unknown, varying from weeks to months. He cites the rapid evacuation of Afghan refugees as an example of expedited processing but clarifies this was an exceptional circumstance. He also mentions personal matters needing resolution in South Africa, which can add to the waiting time.
• Destination in the US: Refugees can express a preference for a specific location in the US, especially if they have relatives or prior experience in that state. Ultimately, the Department of Homeland Security determines the final destination. Refugees receive resettlement assistance for the first year, but can move anywhere within the US after that period.
• Flight Costs: Chris is unsure whether the US government will cover flight costs, but mentions that Afghan evacuees' flights were likely covered. He speculates on commercial flights being the most probable mode of transport and the potential for US government funding. He briefly touches on a hypothetical scenario of the ANC preventing people from leaving South Africa, but he does not believe this will happen.
• Bringing Family: Chris refutes misinformation about a two-year waiting period for family reunification, stating that while there is a two-year timeframe for those already in the US to apply for family members to join them, individuals can apply for their families to join them before they even leave South Africa. He also affirms that there are no age restrictions for those seeking refugee status and that job skills are not a determining factor in the process itself (though they are relevant for resettlement and integration).
• Pets: Chris notes South Africans' attachment to their pets and states that it may be possible to bring pets, citing an individual who claims to have done so. He anticipates that transport costs would likely fall to the owners.
• Costs (Beyond Transportation): He discusses the potential cultural cost for Afrikaners of emigrating, suggesting a generational shift may diminish their original cultural identity.
• Work in the US: Refugees are encouraged to work in the US. Chris differentiates this from asylum seekers, who, he claims, are not permitted to work. He mentions the need to have professional qualifications translated and potentially re-certified in the US.
• Money (Getting it out of South Africa): Chris acknowledges South Africa's capital controls and their impact on emigrants. He mentions Bitcoin as a speculative option, but doesn't offer direct advice.
• Timeline: Chris reiterates the uncertainty about when the program will be established and when individuals can travel. He sees the executive order as a message to South Africa concerning perceived issues with its governance and human rights record.
• Personal Stance: Chris emphasizes that he neither encourages nor discourages emigration from South Africa. He expresses empathy for those who feel it's their only option and criticizes those who disparage either group (those who stay or those who leave). He highlights the cultural cost of leaving while also acknowledging the rights of those who wish to leave due to persecution.
• Accuracy Claim: Chris asserts that his analysis is accurate based on currently available information (February 11, 2025) and encourages viewers to verify the information on government websites. He criticizes news sources for misleading reporting. He states he does not profit or benefit in any way from sharing this information.
• Call to Action: He encourages viewers to subscribe to his channel, share the video, and become better informed.
This is a comprehensive summary of the information in the video transcript, covering all the points Chris raised.

Trump's actions are helping, don't turn him down.

11 February 2025

• By outright declining Trump's offer, South Africans are telling the ANC that they can continue business as usual and we won't fight back. If we embrace Trump's initiative, we will send a message to the ANC that we are not accepting this. If it comes to it, we will leave.
• The US is not only offering refugee status to South Africans, his intention is to impose sanctions and punish the ANC and the country, these actions will have a servere impact on our economy. The sooner we push the ANC into a corner and hold them accountable, the less South Africa will suffer from repealed aid, sanctiond and the tyrany of the ANC.