US enforces visa ban over crime, discrimination in South Africa

The United States has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting certain South African nationals, citing “racially motivated crime and government-sponsored discrimination.” The rule affects enactors and implementers of laws or policies that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based bias, and incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups.

The State Department said the occurrences directly undermine peace, economic stability, and the rule of law, and are incompatible with the pillars of America’s foreign policy.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement on Tuesday, urged the ANC-led government in South Africa to quickly address the referenced “egregious actions.” In February 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14204 to tackle issues affecting Afrikaners and other minority populations in South Africa.

Pretoria opposes Washington’s position and maintains that its domestic policies and independent foreign relations are matters of national sovereignty.

The U.S. and South Africa are locked in a diplomatic conflict over the latter’s International Court of Justice genocide case against Israel, and ties with BRICS partners.

President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks with counterparts from Russia, China, and Iran, among others, during the 18th BRICS Summit, which took place last week in India.

Barring any last-minute changes, South Africa will not be represented at the upcoming G20 Summit in Miami, Florida, due to exclusion by the U.S. government.