In the fiscal year 2025-2026, the United States resettled 10,258 refugees, nearly all of whom were white South Africans, with the sole exceptions being three individuals from Afghanistan. This marks a significant shift in refugee admissions policies, as the country historically accepted refugees from a wide range of backgrounds. Meanwhile, roughly 350,000 Haitians with temporary protected status (TPS) have faced cancellation of their protections, leading to increased deportations accompanied by reports of harsh treatment, including detainment practices.

The Trump administration has notably increased the initial resettlement support payments for refugees to $4,500 per person, doubling previous amounts. This boost, however, has primarily benefited white South African refugees, who are eligible for various forms of cash assistance, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Refugee Cash Assistance, as well as a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. In contrast, many Black and brown immigrants, including Haitians, Venezuelans, and Somalis holding TPS, remain ineligible for such support and face mounting deportation risks.

Experts highlight that refugees traditionally represent one of the few immigrant groups in the U.S. to receive direct cash assistance, provided under the principle of humanitarian need. Yet, this assistance has historically been insufficient, often forcing refugees—many of whom were previously skilled professionals—to take low-wage jobs soon after arrival. Advocates note that social support systems available to refugees have suffered under policies shaped by racial and anti-immigrant biases.

This dynamic is situated within a longer history of immigration and welfare policies in the United States. In the early 20th century, predominantly white European immigrants received broad social assistance and protection from enforcement actions. However, from the 1960s onward, as racial quotas for immigration were abolished, welfare reforms increasingly sought to reduce government assistance to poor families of color. The 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, signed by President Bill Clinton, drastically curtailed welfare availability for most immigrants, excluding all but refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of trafficking from cash benefits.

Persons holding TPS, who come from countries deemed unsafe, have traditionally been excluded from these benefits despite contributing to tax systems. Currently, the revocation of TPS for Haitians exposes more than one million people to deportation, amid concerns about returning individuals to dangerous conditions.

Observers argue that the contrasting treatment of white South African refugees and Black and brown immigrants under TPS underscores a racialized approach to immigration and social welfare policy. While financial resources and legal pathways have been expanded for white refugees, many nonwhite immigrants face increased precarity and exclusion. This has drawn criticism that these policies reflect political priorities that value certain lives over others.

Overall, the current administration’s approach highlights ongoing debates over the allocation of government support and the intersection of immigration policy with questions of race and equity in the United States.