Trump Official Says One Criteria To Take In White South Africans As Refugees is 'Making Sure They Can Be Assimilated Easily'

A Trump administration official said part of the criteria to receive white South African as refugees in the U.S. is "making sure they can be assimilated easily into our country."

Speaking to press following the arrival of the first group of South Africans to Dulles International Airport, Deputy Secretary of State was asked about why the administration is receiving the group while programs for other nationals, including those for people from Afghanistan, Iraq and sub-Saharan countries, continue to be halted.

"You may recall that on the president's first day in office, he issued an executive orders that paused U.S. refugee programs going at record levels under the prior administration and brought people we weren't sure had been properly vetted," Landau said.

"That pause was subject to exceptions where it was determined that this would be in the interest of the U.S. Some of the criteria were that they did not pose any challenge to our national security and could be assimilated easily into our country," Landau added. He went on to claim that all those who arrived have been "thoroughly vetted" and that there are "ongoing considerations on whether other programs will be lifted." "He considered the dire situation of this particular group of people."

Earlier on Monday President Donald Trump defended the decision, saying there is a "genocide that is taking place" in the country.

Speaking at the White House, Trump was asked about why the group was being allowed into the country even though the government has suspended most refugee resettlement operations.

"They're being killed. And we don't want to see people be killed. South African leadership is coming to see me some time next week. We're supposed to have a G20 meeting or something. I don't know how we can go unless that situation is taken care of. it's a genocide that's taking place," Trump told reporters.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller has anticipated more arrivals, saying there will be "much larger-scale relocation efforts" related to the group.

"This is persecution based on a protected characteristic — in this case, race. This is race-based persecution," Miller said. The South African government firmly denies all allegations made by the Trump administration, saying criticism is filled with misinformation.