Close to 70,000 South Africans have expressed interest in moving to the United States after Washington announced an offer to resettle people from the country’s Afrikaner community, according to a business group.

The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (Saccusa) revealed that its website received tens of thousands of registrations from individuals seeking more information about the asylum opportunity. This surge in interest follows an executive order signed in February by US President Donald Trump, which declared that Afrikaners—descendants of mainly Dutch settlers who arrived in the region during the 17th century—could be admitted as refugees due to being “victims of unjust racial discrimination.”

The order has sparked significant attention and debate, as Afrikaners make up a minority group in South Africa. In recent years, some members of the community have raised concerns about land reform policies, farm attacks, and economic challenges, arguing that they face targeted discrimination.

The announcement has also added to the growing tensions between the US and South Africa. Since taking office in January, President Trump’s administration has had a strained relationship with the South African government, particularly over issues such as trade, governance, and racial policies.

It remains to be seen how the South African government will respond to this development and what impact it may have on the country’s political landscape. Meanwhile, many Afrikaners seeking asylum in the US are awaiting further details on how the resettlement process will unfold.