In a significant policy shift, the United States government has announced the revocation of all visas for South Sudanese passport holders. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made this declaration on Saturday, citing concerns that the African nation is failing to accept its nationals who are being expelled from the U.S. This measure marks the first instance of the U.S. targeting an entire nationality for visa revocation since Donald Trump resumed presidency on January 20, 2023, following a campaign focused on anti-immigration policies.
In his statement, Rubio expressed frustration with the transitional government in Juba, accusing it of “taking advantage of the United States.” He emphasized that it is the responsibility of every nation to accept the timely return of its citizens when another country seeks to remove them. “Washington will be prepared to review these actions when South Sudan is in full cooperation,” Rubio added, indicating a willingness to reconsider the policy should conditions improve.
South Sudan, recognized as the world’s newest country and one of its poorest, is currently experiencing heightened tensions among political leaders. Observers are increasingly concerned about the potential for a resurgence of civil conflict, reminiscent of the brutal civil war that claimed approximately 400,000 lives between 2013 and 2018.
Despite the recent visa revocation, South Sudanese nationals in the U.S. had previously been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the administration of Biden, which is set to expire on May 3, 2025. This designation protects foreign citizens from deportation if they cannot safely return to their home countries due to war, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
As of September 2023, approximately 133 South Sudanese individuals were living in the U.S. under the TPS program, with an additional 140 eligible to apply, according to the Department of Homeland Security. However, the Trump administration has begun to roll back TPS protections, recently revoking status from over 600,000 Venezuelans. A federal judge has temporarily halted this decision, questioning claims that the majority of Venezuelans in the U.S. are criminals.
According to the Pew Research Center, as of March 2024, there are about 1.2 million individuals either eligible for or receiving TPS in the U.S., with Venezuelans representing the largest group. The recent decision to revoke visas for South Sudanese passport holders aligns with a broader trend of increasing scrutiny on immigration, particularly as more Africans attempt to enter the U.S. through its southern border as an alternative to perilous routes into Europe.
The implications of this visa revocation for South Sudanese nationals are significant, as they navigate a complex and evolving immigration landscape amid ongoing challenges in their home country.
