Executive Order 14204

Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa

Signed February 7, 2025, printed at 90 FR 9497. 4 sections of substance, 672 words.

In plain English

This order cuts aid to South Africa. It says a new land law there treats one group unfairly.

Sec. 1. Purpose

In shocking disregard of its citizens' rights, the Republic of South Africa (South Africa) recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 (Act), to enable the government of South Africa to seize ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property without compensation. This Act follows countless government policies designed to dismantle equal opportunity in employment, education, and business, and hateful rhetoric and government actions fueling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners. In addition, South Africa has taken aggressive positions towards the United States and its allies, including accusing Israel, not Hamas, of genocide in the International Court of Justice, and reinvigorating its relations with Iran to develop commercial, military, and nuclear arrangements. The United States cannot support the government of South Africa's commission of rights violations

In plain English

This sets out the case the order makes. It cites a 2024 land law in South Africa. It says the law allows farms to be taken without payment. It says white farmers are the target. It says the country has also turned on American allies. It names a genocide case against Israel. It names closer ties with Iran.

Sec. 2. Policy

It is the policy of the United States that, as long as South Africa continues these unjust and immoral practices that harm our Nation: (a) the United States shall not provide aid or assistance to South Africa; and (b) the United States shall promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government- sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation.

In plain English

This states the policy. It applies while South Africa keeps up the named practices. The order calls those practices unjust. It says they harm this country. First, no aid may go to South Africa. Second, this country will help resettle Afrikaner refugees. They are said to face race based treatment. Land seizure is named.

Sec. 3. Assistance

(a) All executive departments and agencies (agencies), including the United States Agency for International Development, shall, to the maximum extent allowed by law, halt foreign aid or assistance delivered or provided to South Africa, and shall promptly exercise all available authorities and discretion to halt such aid or assistance. (b) The head of each agency may permit the provision of any such foreign aid or assistance that, in the discretion of the relevant agency head, is necessary or appropriate.

In plain English

This halts the aid. Every agency must stop it. The aid agency is named. They must use every power to do so. An agency head may still allow some aid. That is left to their own judgment.

Sec. 4. Refugee Resettlement and Other Humanitarian Considerations

The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take appropriate steps, consistent with law, to prioritize humanitarian relief, including admission and resettlement through the United States Refugee Admissions Program, for Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination. Such plan shall be submitted to the President through the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor.

In plain English

This is about taking in refugees. Two agency heads must plan for it. The plan covers Afrikaners from South Africa. It treats them as victims of racial bias. It would use the refugee program. The plan goes to the President through an aide.

Sec. 5. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. [[Page 9498]] (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, February 7, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-02630 Filed 2-11-25; 11:15 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body>

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.