US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate revocation of visas for all South Sudanese citizens due to the government's refusal to accept repatriated individuals, raising concerns about the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.
US Revokes Visas for South Sudanese Amid Deportation Crisis
US Revokes Visas for South Sudanese Amid Deportation Crisis
In a significant move, the US has canceled visas for South Sudanese passport holders following a dispute over deportations, as tensions in the region escalate.
In a direct response to South Sudan's refusal to accept its own citizens, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the revocation of all visas issued to South Sudanese passport holders. This action, aimed at addressing the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of deported individuals, includes blocking the entry of any arriving South Sudanese nationals at US ports.
"The Transitional Government of South Sudan must no longer take advantage of the United States," Rubio remarked, reinforcing a stringent policy aligned with President Trump's immigration agenda, which emphasizes the mass deportation of unlawful migrants. This move underscores a broader immigration strategy faced with increasing challenges internationally, as the US grapples with the deportation of foreign nationals.
The announcement comes as fears mount that South Sudan may slip back into civil conflict. Earlier on March 8, the US directed all non-emergency personnel to evacuate from the country due to escalating regional hostilities coupled with a fragile peace agreement established in 2018.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has faced internal strife since a power struggle ignited a civil war in 2013, claiming over 400,000 lives. A 2018 peace deal momentarily stemmed the violence, but the ongoing failures to implement essential reforms, including a new constitution and electoral processes, have left the region in a precarious state. Ethnic and local conflicts have persisted, further complicating the humanitarian landscape.
Historically, South Sudanese living in the US were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing them to remain in the country legally; however, this status is set to expire on May 3, raising further concerns for those affected.
The Trump administration's strict stance on immigration has shown to impede relations with other nations over the issue of deportations, notably highlighted in a January incident where Colombian President Gustavo Petro temporarily halted US military flights returning deported migrants.
As the situation in South Sudan evolves, the international community remains vigilant, with ongoing debates and tensions surrounding the safe return of citizens and humanitarian efforts within the war-torn region.
