EFF Seeks Citizenship Revocation for US Refugee Status Applicants Amid Trump’s Controversial Policies

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has made a bold call for the South African government to strip citizenship from individuals who seek refugee status in the United States. This reaction comes in response to American President Donald Trump’s executive order which not only slashes funding aid to South Africa but also opens up resettlement opportunities in the U.S. specifically for white Afrikaners.

The Trump administration's executive order is seen as a pointed measure that could potentially strain U.S.-South Africa relations, further complicated by South Africa’s vocal support for Palestine. The EFF has interpreted this move as a direct attack on South Africa, suggesting it undermines the country's sovereignty and international relationships.

In response to what it views as aggressive international policy maneuvers by the U.S., the EFF has also advocated for South Africa to bolster ties with other global powers such as China and Russia, along with strengthening the coalition within the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).

Parallel to the EFF’s political maneuvers, the Board of Directors of Universities South Africa (USAf) has voiced significant concern over the U.S. decision to halt international aid, underlining Trump’s “America First” policy. According to USAf, this abrupt cessation of funds could derail crucial ongoing global research projects which aim to address major 21st-century challenges such as climate change, poverty, and global health crises.

USAf’s Chairperson, Professor Francis Petersen, highlighted the potential negative repercussions of the U.S. decision, emphasizing that reducing financial support for international collaborations could severely set back progress in critical global research initiatives. These programs have been pivotal in fostering system-to-system collaborations essential for tackling widespread humanitarian and environmental issues.

The combined outcry from EFF and USAf reflects a broader concern among South African institutions and political entities regarding the U.S.’s current foreign policy direction, which appears to increasingly isolate and target certain countries and groups.

Both the political call for a re-assessment of citizenship rights by EFF and the academic alarm sounded by USAf underscore a period of intensified scrutiny and reevaluation of U.S.-South Africa relations, with significant implications for diplomatic, social, and research-based partnerships.