U.S. Condemns South Africa Over Temporary Detention of American Officials

The United States government has formally criticized South Africa following the temporary detention of two U.S. officials earlier this week. 

The incident occurred during an operation linked to refugee processing activities inside South Africa.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Washington said the officials were carrying out duties connected to humanitarian support for Afrikaner communities, a Dutch-descended minority group in South Africa. 

The U.S. State Department described the detention as unacceptable and demanded accountability from South African authorities.

Multiple sources in the United States confirmed that two refugee officers from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) were detained during the operation on Tuesday before being released shortly afterward. 

A USCIS official and a separate source familiar with the incident confirmed the sequence of events.

However, South Africa’s home affairs ministry denied that any U.S. officials were arrested. Authorities in Pretoria maintained that no detention took place and insisted that operations involving immigration enforcement were conducted within the law.

South African officials also said they had arrested seven Kenyan nationals alleged to be working illegally on U.S. refugee processing programs inside the country. 

Those arrested are expected to be deported after investigations are completed.

The U.S. statement criticized South African authorities over the handling of the incident and raised concerns about the release of passport details belonging to the American officials involved. 

The State Department referred to the disclosure of personal travel information as “an unacceptable form of harassment.”

“We call on the Government of South Africa to take immediate action to bring this situation under control and hold those responsible accountable,” read the statement issued from Washington.

A spokesperson for South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry said officials were not aware of any passport information being released publicly. He noted that the ministry would seek clarification on the issue.

The Trump administration has repeatedly stated that it intends to increase resettlement opportunities for white South Africans who claim to be victims of racial persecution. 

South Africa’s government has dismissed these claims, describing them as inaccurate portrayals of domestic affairs and warning against interference in local governance.

The detention dispute adds tension to ongoing diplomatic conversations between the two countries regarding refugee processing. 

Analysts say cooperation between the governments has become strained due to disagreements over immigration, humanitarian monitoring, and documentation procedures.

Immigration experts note that foreign officials handling refugee programs within host countries must meet legal requirements under local immigration laws. 

South Africa has strict rules governing foreign involvement in refugee processing, particularly when activities are conducted outside official bilateral frameworks.

Authorities in Pretoria have increased enforcement targeting foreign nationals involved in refugee-related administration without authorization. 

The arrest of the Kenyan workers, who officials allege were operating outside South Africa’s immigration regulations, has intensified scrutiny surrounding third-party assistance to U.S.-linked refugee programs.

The incident comes amid growing international debate over refugee policies and the role of foreign governments in administering humanitarian programs outside their own borders. 

Both the United States and South Africa face increased domestic pressure regarding immigration and border security.