President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a crackdown on illegal immigration in South Africa amidst escalating anti-foreigner protests across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape. Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Ramaphosa pledged to strengthen immigration enforcement, increase workplace inspections, enhance border security, and combat corruption within the immigration system, while also emphasizing the need to uphold the rights of all individuals and condemn xenophobia and vigilantism. These measures come as public sentiment against immigrants has intensified, with surveys indicating a growing perception of immigrants as an economic threat and contributors to crime. Recent incidents include looting and protests in Ekurhuleni and Ladysmith, and a violent anti-foreigner march in Mangaung where 140 arrests were made.