The Trump administration notified Congress on Tuesday it plans to accept thousands more of South African refugees into the United States than expected over the next 12 months. 

In a roughly $500 million effort, the U.S. will admit 17,500 mostly Afrikaner refugees throughout fiscal 2027, which starts on Oct. 1. The development boosts the previous 7,500 refugee cap by 10,000, after the White House raised concerns that the South African minority group faces persecution.