In a sweeping and historic immigration crackdown, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Saturday that all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders have been revoked, and no new visas will be issued to citizens of the East African nation until further notice.
The decision, effective immediately, is a direct response to what Rubio called South Sudan’s “failure to cooperate” in accepting deported nationals. The action marks a significant escalation in U.S. foreign policy toward South Sudan, a country plagued by political instability since its independence in 2011.
“I am taking actions to revoke all visas held by holders of South Sudanese passports and to restrict further issuance in order to prevent entry into the United States,” Rubio posted on X, outlining a rare and hardline stance on immigration enforcement.
A Diplomatic Flashpoint
Rubio later expanded on the move in a press briefing, stressing that South Sudan’s transitional government had “repeatedly ignored” obligations to repatriate its citizens.
“Any nation has an obligation to bring back its own nationals when a foreign country, including the United States, has requested to repatriate them,” he said. “We cannot allow the United States to be taken advantage of.”
The State Department has not disclosed the exact number of individuals affected, but officials say the revocation impacts hundreds of South Sudanese nationals—including those under the Biden-era Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation, which is set to expire on May 3, 2025.
South Sudan Yet to Respond
The South Sudanese Embassy in Washington has not issued an official response. The move, however, comes at a sensitive moment for the African nation, as African Union mediators arrived in Juba this week to address escalating tensions in the transitional government.
Observers fear renewed conflict in a country where a civil war between 2013 and 2018 claimed more than 400,000 lives.
South Sudan’s transitional government—established in 2020 by President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar—has faced sustained international criticism for weak leadership, corruption, and continued internal conflict.
Humanitarian Concerns and Political Divide
Reactions to the U.S. decision have been sharply divided. Supporters of the Trump-aligned administration, in which Rubio serves, have praised the move as necessary for national security and immigration enforcement.
“This is about securing America and sending a strong message: comply, or else,” one user posted on X.
However, critics argue that the blanket visa ban may disproportionately harm vulnerable individuals fleeing violence and political repression, raising serious humanitarian and ethical concerns.
No Timeline for Reversal
Rubio indicated that the visa restrictions could be lifted if South Sudan fully cooperates with U.S. deportation efforts. However, he did not provide specific conditions or a timeline for reinstating visa services, leaving the future of South Sudanese citizens in the U.S. in limbo.
For now, the world’s youngest nation finds itself further isolated, while South Sudanese nationals—many of whom have built lives in the United States—face an uncertain future.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
