Seven Kenyans face expulsion from South Africa after being caught working illegally on a U.S.-led refugee program for white Afrikaners.
Operating out of a Johannesburg processing center, the group was found to be on tourist visas, which do not permit employment.
Authorities confirmed the arrests were made following a breach of South Africa’s immigration and visa regulations.
“They were arrested and issued with deportation orders, and will be prohibited from entering South Africa again for a five-year period,” the Home Affairs Department said in a statement on Wednesday.
The raid was conducted following intelligence reports of Kenyan nationals working illegally at the centre.
The US program, introduced by the Trump administration, offers refugee status to Afrikaners, claiming they are victims of discrimination and “genocide,” a claim strongly denied by the South African government.
The program has strained ties between Washington and Pretoria, with the US imposing trade tariffs and expelling South Africa’s Ambassador.
US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott condemned the raid, saying “interfering” in US refugee operations is “unacceptable.”
Washington is seeking clarification from the South African government and expects cooperation.
The South African government maintains it is committed to combating illegal immigration and visa abuse, and has contacted US and Kenyan officials over the issu
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