Trump administration weighs refugee system overhaul favoring white Europeans

The Trump administration is considering a major overhaul of the U.S. refugee program that would prioritize white Europeans and Christians over refugees from Africa and the Middle East, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times. The proposed changes would mark a sharp shift away from decades of U.S. policy designed to protect the most vulnerable people regardless of race or religion.

Source The New York Times

The plan calls for reducing the annual refugee cap and refocusing admissions toward those “aligned with American heritage and values.” Sources say it would give preference to applicants from Eastern Europe and South Africa, while tightening restrictions on those fleeing conflicts in Africa and Muslim-majority nations.

Critics argue the proposal reflects a vision of America rooted in racial and cultural preference rather than humanitarian need. Supporters claim it strengthens border control and ensures that “only those who assimilate to U.S. culture” are welcomed. The debate underscores the administration’s ongoing effort to redefine the country’s global image and its historic role as a refuge for persecuted people.