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Senators spar over expedited refugee pathway for Afrikaner farmers as administration defends selective prioritization
Summary
Senator Merkley and others criticized the administration’s decision to create a special refugee program for Afrikaner farmers while restricting other refugee admissions; Secretary Rubio said the U.S. has discretion to prioritize admissions and that vetting and national‑interest considerations inform decisions.
A lengthy exchange in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee centered on the administration’s creation of a special refugee program for a small group of Afrikaner farmers and whether that program is being applied even‑handedly compared with other refugee needs.
Senator Merkley said the program was inconsistent with longstanding refugee practice and raised concerns about unequal…
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