About Amerikaners Role

Admissions for Afrikaners under E.O. 14204

“Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa”

Consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order on Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa, the Department of State is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to consider eligibility for U.S. refugee resettlement for people who are of Afrikaner ethnicity or a member of a racial minority in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination.

Functions supporting this effort are being performed by partners of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program: RSC Africa, which is operated by Church World Service (CWS), and Amerikaners. Neither RSC Africa/CWS nor Amerikaners has any connection to the South African government. Access to the USRAP is free, including completion of the Statement of Interest form. USRAP referral partners do not charge fees to applicants for their referral services. RSC Africa/CWS and Amerikaners will be communicating with applicants and responding to applicant inquiries at various stages of the process.

RSC Africa/CWS and Amerikaners are involved in the following elements of the process in South Africa:

Amerikaners:

• Serves as a designated Department of State referral partner
• Gathers information from potential applicants to assess whether the case is eligible for referral to the USRAP
• Refers cases to the Department of State for USRAP access

RSC Africa, operated by CWS:

• Serves as a designated Department of State referral partner
• Gathers information from potential applicants to assess whether the case is eligible for referral to the USRAP
• Refers cases to the Department of State for USRAP access
• Conducts pre-screen interviews with applicants, gathering information and documentation to prepare case for USCIS eligibility interview
• Requests background checks
• Schedules USCIS interviews
• Arranges for medical exams
• Books travel to the United States

RSC Africa/CWS and Amerikaners do not make eligibility determinations on refugee cases. Only DHS has the authority to adjudicate cases and decide whether an individual qualifies for admission to the United States as a refugee. DHS/USCIS continues to conduct resettlement interviews on a regular basis in South Africa.

To be eligible for U.S. resettlement consideration through this initiative, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be of South African nationality; and
• Must be of Afrikaner ethnicity or be a member of a racial minority in South Africa;
• Must be able to articulate a past experience of persecution or fear of future persecution; and
• Must be at least 18 years old or are being referred with a parent, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(2))

Individuals who meet all the above criteria and would like to be considered for referral to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) should complete and submit the Statement of Interest form: Statement of Interest 

If you have already submitted a Statement of Interest form, there is no need to re-submit. Department of State’s referral partners will work through the sizeable volume of submissions, contacting applicants to gather information for assessment by the U.S. government. Given the volume of interest, individuals may not receive a response for an extended period.

Not all individuals who are contacted by a referral partner will be referred to the USRAP. The U.S. government considers a variety of factors when making USRAP access decisions, including eligibility criteria, persecution claim, and background check results. The authority to grant access to the USRAP (via approval of referral)

rests with the U.S. government and is not a function of USRAP implementing partners RSC Africa/CWS and Amerikaners.

Reminder: Access to the USRAP is free, including completion of the Statement of Interest form. USRAP referral partners (Amerikaners and RSC Africa/CWS) do not charge fees to applicants for their referral services. Using a translator or preparer is not necessary as these services will be provided by the USRAP. It is not necessary to have documents verified. Beware of any scams or potential exploitation. No one should pay any fees or favors to unauthorized individuals claiming to be able to assist or expedite resettlement to the United States or to gain access to the program. Do not share your personal information with anyone you do not trust. Avoid emailing your identity documents to anyone. You should always maintain control over your identity documents. Please report fraud at: U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) Tip Form 

Important Notice Regarding Travel Arrangements:

The U.S. government USRAP (U.S. Refugee Admissions Program) has only one official implementing partner for arranging and booking travel for refugees from South Africa to the United States: RSC Africa operated by Church World Service (CWS): https://mycase.rscafrica.org /.

Pursuant to U.S. policy, travel from South Africa to the United States under the USRAP must be facilitated through RSC Africa, operated by Church World Service. No other entities or organizations are authorized to arrange or book travel for individuals traveling from South Africa to the United States through the USRAP. Travel arranged by any other entity is not supported by the USRAP and will also endanger your ability to enter the United States under the USRAP and benefit from reception and placement services once you arrive.

For more questions about your specific travel under the USRAP once you have been approved by USCIS, please reach out to RSC Africa directly.

Important Notice Regarding Pets:

Operation Pet Lyft is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any other U.S. government agency in connection with the USRAP. Actors claiming to be or to represent Operation Pet Lyft (OPL) have been circulating misleading information, claiming to be able to coordinate with the U.S. government/USRAP to arrange travel for pets accompanying refugees out of South Africa to the United States. Additionally, their publicly disseminated information claims they can assist with reception and placement services within the United States for refugees, as well as their pets. That is not accurate and has led to confusion among USRAP applicants. If you have been approved for refugee status by USCIS, please ensure you are only working with USRAP official implementing partners. If you would like further information on organizations partnering with the USRAP, please reach out the RSC Africa/CWS.

Neither the United States government nor its USRAP implementing partners assist in or fund the transportation of pets under the USRAP. The U.S. government, including Embassy Pretoria, is not working with any entity or group that will assist in travel with or for your pet. Refugees wishing to bring their pets to the United States should make arrangements for pet travel independently after they arrive in the United States. It is recommended to wait at least 90 days post-arrival before facilitating travel of pets, as initial housing provided by the USRAP may not allow pets, and there is no assistance provided for moving your pets within the United States under the USRAP.

Beware of anyone who claims they are coordinating with the U.S. government to assist you with moving your pets or who promises to help expedite review of your USRAP application. Please report fraud at: U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) Tip Form