John Block, a House Representative from New Mexico, has expressed support for refugees from South Africa while criticizing the South African government. His statement was made on the social media platform X.
"Welcome to America," said Block, New Mexico State Representative for 51st District (R). "I'm glad you've left your genocidal, racist, terrible, oppressive third-world country. God's infinite blessings to you."
In May 2025, the United States accepted 59 white South African Afrikaners as refugees, citing racial persecution and economic hardship as reasons for expedited asylum. According to The Times, this policy was initiated by an executive order from President Donald Trump and has faced criticism from South African officials who deny any state-backed persecution. Human rights organizations have also questioned the legitimacy of these claims in light of broader global refugee needs. This decision has led to diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and South Africa.
The Washington Post reports that prior to 2025, no South Africans were officially resettled as refugees in the United States during the 2024 fiscal year. The admission of these 59 Afrikaners marks a significant departure from previous trends and was achieved through an expedited process. This exception has prompted questions among policymakers and advocates regarding the transparency and fairness of U.S. refugee admissions protocols.
South Africa continues to grapple with human rights issues, including racial violence and gender-based abuse. Human Rights Watch notes that despite the implementation of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act in 2024, enforcement remains inconsistent, leaving women vulnerable to violence due to systemic weaknesses in protection and justice mechanisms.
According to information from the official New Mexico Legislature website, John Block is a Republican state representative serving District 51 since January 2023. He is known for his opposition to sanctuary cities and supports restrictive immigration policies. In 2025, he supported Attorney General Pam Bondi’s order to suspend funding to sanctuary jurisdictions, asserting that New Mexico cities offering sanctuary would lose millions in federal aid.
