President Trump proposed citizenship for white South African farmers citing safety concerns, but legal experts assert he lacks the authority to do so without Congress. This move reflects larger inconsistencies in his immigration policies and raises questions about its feasibility.
Recently, President Donald Trump proposed granting U.S. citizenship to white South African farmers who seek refuge due to alleged mistreatment by their government. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “Any Farmer (with family!) from South Africa, seeking to flee that country for reasons of safety, will be invited into the United States of America with a rapid pathway to Citizenship. This process will begin immediately!”
However, legal experts immediately challenged the feasibility of this proposal, citing that Trump lacks the authority to establish such citizenship pathways without congressional approval. Rosanna Berardi, managing partner of an immigration law firm, remarked that creating a new visa classification is a congressional responsibility. She noted, “This administration has become fixated on using executive orders to try to replace the function of Congress.”
Furthermore, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council clarified that there is no existing mechanism for a “rapid pathway to citizenship,” stating, “The quickest one is through marriage to a US citizen… Trump can’t create a new pathway without Congress.” This proposal adds to a series of Trump’s immigration policies that appear to exceed his legal authority, including a plan to sell “Gold Card” citizenship pathways to wealthy foreign investors.
Legal analysts like Berardi further indicate that the South African proposal contradicts Trump’s promise to curb immigration, as he simultaneously seeks to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans and Ukrainians while inviting South Africans. Berardi emphasizes that temporary protections require clear evidence of danger in the home country, which she argues is not applicable to South Africa in this instance.
The farmers mentioned in Trump’s proposals are often seen as beneficiaries from a segregated agricultural system established during apartheid. Notably, many influential Trump supporters have historical ties to this period, complicating the narrative surrounding these farmers’ alleged plight. In alignment with this agenda, Trump has signed an executive order condemning actions against “ethnic minority Afrikaners” in South Africa, aimed at initiating a refugee program for those facing racial discrimination.
In summary, President Trump’s recent proposition to extend U.S. citizenship to white South African farmers faces significant legal challenges and lacks the necessary congressional endorsement. Experts assert that such actions fall beyond the presidential mandate, reiterating the necessity for congressional involvement in immigration laws. This proposal exemplifies the tension within the Trump administration’s broader immigration strategy, which oscillates between tightening restrictions and offering selective pathways of entry.
Original Source: www.salon.com
