South African Farmers Settle in Washington County, MD
A group of 59 white South Africans granted refugee status by President Donald Trump has settled in Washington County, Maryland, according to a story first reported by the Hagerstown News Network.
Some held young children and waved small county flags emblazoned with George Washington after disembarking at the Hagerstown Greyhound bus stop.
Locals returned greetings with the smiling, heil saluting refugees, and presented Penny Mart care packages of venison jerky, coconut covered Hostess Snoballs, and imported Rolling Rock beer.
"It's going to take some getting used to, but I really think we're gonna like it here," said newly arrived immigrant Saemus Royer. "I've never seen so many Boers in one place!"
Penny Mart gift baskets help the new arrivals settle into Washington County life.
Washington County immigration officials say a resettlement program, funded through a DOGE diversion from the county's FDA smoking cessation grant, will help the refugees secure Scenic View Mobile Home Park rentals in Boonsboro, used F-150s, and Lang BBQ Smokers with fresh coats of Rust-Oleum.
With Maryland's highest municipal crime rate outside of Baltimore, Hagerstown offered a familiar vibe to farmers arriving from Africa's highest crime country. "South Africa has 'no-go zones' and we have the I-81 drug corridor and Route 40 motel district," said a Washington County Sheriff spokesperson. "They'll assimilate easy—if you've been to one meth house, you've been to them all."
Bridge of Life Church is providing spiritual support with a God Bless The USA Bible for every refugee family. For those looking to wash away the sins of South Africa, the #2 galvanized Wheeling washtub baptismal pool is available 7 days a week in the former projectionist booth at the converted Colonial Theater in downtown Hagerstown, according to church officials.
Although the Afrikaners say they feel welcomed in Washington County, some things will take getting used to. "I'll have to untrain the brain from saying 'n-word' instead of whole thing," Royer said.
