South Sudanese nationals, including the rising star of Duke University Men’s Basketball, Khaman Maluach, are facing the alarming prospect of deportation following a recent announcement from the Trump administration regarding a new visa policy. On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that the U.S. government will be revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport-holders. This significant policy change is attributed to the transitional government of South Sudan's ongoing refusal to accept U.S. deportees in a timely manner.
The announcement could have severe implications for Maluach, especially since his team faced a disappointing loss in the NCAA tournament's Final Four against the University of Houston just hours after the visa policy was declared. The uncertainty surrounding his future in the United States looms large. In a statement, Rubio emphasized, “It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States.”
Frank Tramble, the Vice President of Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs at Duke University, acknowledged the situation in a statement. “We are aware of the announcement from the State Department and are looking into the implications for our students,” Tramble stated. The university is working diligently to understand how this new visa policy may affect its South Sudanese student population.
According to data from the State Department, only 46 nonimmigrant visas were issued to South Sudanese nationals in January. This number is notably lower than that of other East African countries, such as Uganda and Tanzania, which received hundreds of nonimmigrant visas in the same month. The immediate effect of the sweeping visa ban includes a halt on the issuance of new visas, raising concerns among South Sudanese nationals regarding their ability to remain in the U.S.
The timing of this announcement has left many basketball fans shocked, particularly as Maluach was considered a strong candidate for a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft scheduled for June. The freshman center has demonstrated remarkable talent during the March Madness tournament, notably scoring in double figures during the Sweet Sixteen match against the University of Arizona and the Elite Eight game against the University of Alabama, before his team exited the tournament in the semifinals.
Having represented South Sudan at the Olympics last year, Maluach reflected on his incredible journey to join the prestigious Duke basketball program, which he described as astonishing. “It never really crossed my mind that one day I’ll be playing for Duke,” he told NBC News. “I didn’t know I was going to go to college,” he added, expressing disbelief at the prospect of competing in a Final Four game.
The future of South Sudanese nationals in the U.S., particularly for athletes like Khaman Maluach, hangs in the balance as the visa policy remains in effect. The State Department indicated that the policy would be re-evaluated “when South Sudan is in full cooperation.” However, the immediate consequences of this visa revocation could have lasting implications for students, athletes, and families from South Sudan living in the United States.
