Donald Trump’s administration drew fierce blowback on Wednesday following a news report on how the U.S. refugee system could soon be majorly overhauled.The New York Times reported that “English speakers, white South Africans and Europeans who oppose migration” would be prioritized under the possible new regime.Read the report at The New York Times.Europeans “targeted for peaceful expression of views online, such as opposition to mass migration or support for ‘populist’ political parties,” are also proposed to be given preference, per the newspaper.All the dramatic ideas remain firmly on the table, although it’s not clear if or when they will be fully enacted, said the Times. But critics online were aghast at the potentially drastic move away from helping the world’s most vulnerable people:When refuge starts depending on your skin tone, it’s not about safety anymore.— Msema Kweli (@EndaUsome) October 15, 2025Trump's "refugee" plan isn't about safety, it's a blatant white supremacist wet dream to flood America with English-speaking Europeans while slamming the door on brown and Black lives fleeing real hell. #RacistRefugees— Richard Angwin (@RichardAngwin) October 15, 2025Basically, Trump plans to conform the US refugee system to fit his racist, white supremacist views. Shame!Trump Considers Overhaul of Refugee System That Would Favor White People https://t.co/gYBW18tJD8— Phil Robertson (@Reaproy) October 15, 2025"We don't understand why you all think America is or ever has been systemically racist! We can't imagine why you call us Nazis! Diversity initiatives might have been needed at one point, but no one is bigoted anymore, so now they're unnecessary!!" pic.twitter.com/ZltAmj4Dbi— Robyn Pennacchia (@RobynElyse) October 15, 2025So what happens now, applicants have to send in skin samples to prove they are not dark skinned? What about bi-racial folks, are they deemed unacceptable even if they have white skin? This degree of racism is revolting.— Wendy 🇨🇦 (@perfectrose2011) October 15, 2025Trump Considers Overhaul of Refugee System That Would Favor White People : give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses...your neo-Nazis... And yes, I do think immigrants should integrate BTW https://t.co/Bwpk5vM53Q— Phil Gurski (@borealissaves) October 15, 2025Instead of granting refugee status to the most vulnerable, the Trump admin is considering prioritizing English speakers, Europeans who oppose migration, and people who think they're being persecuted for being white. Admin documents say the U.S. has become too diverse. https://t.co/LQGa6znR1f— Arielle Zionts (@Ajzionts) October 15, 2025Close