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U.S. Revokes Visas for South Sudanese Citizens Amid Government Cooperation Issues

In a significant policy shift, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Saturday the immediate revocation of visas for holders of South Sudanese passports. This decision bars the issuance of new visas as well.

Rubio linked the visa revocation to the “failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner,” a statement he shared on X.

The U.S. Department of State emphasized that now is the time for South Sudan’s leadership to cease what they describe as taking advantage of American policies. In a robust statement, the department remarked on the importance of maintaining immigration laws as vital to national security and public safety in the United States. They insisted that it is the responsibility of every nation to promptly accept the return of its citizens when another country seeks to repatriate them.

The statement also conveyed that the U.S. stands ready to reevaluate its actions once full cooperation is established by the South Sudanese government.

The political climate in South Sudan remains dire, with the country teetering on the brink of civil war amid rising armed conflicts, widespread displacement, and critical food shortages.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum halted all operations, including visa and consular services, on April 22, 2023, in response to the escalating crisis.

This development comes on the heels of actions taken by the Trump administration earlier this year, which involved ending deportation protections for a substantial number of Venezuelans living in the United States.

According to reports from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the administration has moved to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 300,000 nationals. Since taking office, the Trump administration has been active in deporting illegal migrants, with estimates suggesting over 100,000 deportations, as cited by the New York Post.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for South Sudan has yet to provide a response to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding this decision. Furthermore, requests for comments from the United Nations regarding the situation in South Sudan were also unmet.

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