Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States is revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, citing the South Sudanese government’s refusal to accept the return of its nationals and accusing it of exploiting the U.S. immigration system.
“Every nation has a responsibility to accept the return of its citizens when deportation is pursued by another country, including the U.S.,” Rubio said in a Saturday statement, adding that South Sudan’s transitional government has failed to uphold this obligation. He further stated that the U.S. will halt the issuance of new visas to South Sudanese passport holders to block future entry.
This move marks the first blanket visa restriction imposed on an entire nationality since President Donald Trump returned to office on January 20, following a campaign that emphasized strict immigration controls.
Previously, South Sudanese nationals were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under former President Joe Biden’s administration, a designation set to expire on May 3.
TPS offers protection from deportation for foreign nationals who cannot safely return to their home countries due to conflict, disasters, or extraordinary circumstances.
Rubio noted that the visa policy could be reassessed if South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation. The decision comes amid escalating violence in South Sudan between government forces and opposition fighters, raising fears of a return to civil war.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently warned that the country faces a severe security crisis and urged international leaders to intervene before the situation deteriorates further. Tensions have soared following the arrest of Vice President Riek Machar last month, which his party claims has undone the 2018 peace agreement that ended years of bloody conflict. Clashes between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and Machar have reportedly occurred near the capital, Juba.
