US stops South Sudan visas after deportation troubles

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the immediate revocation of all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, citing the African nation’s failure to cooperate with U.S. deportation procedures.

The decision comes after South Sudan repeatedly failed to accept the return of its citizens when the United States sought to remove them. “Effective immediately, the United States Department of State is taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and prevent further issuance to prevent entry into the United States by South Sudanese passport holders,” Rubio said. “We will be prepared to review these actions when South Sudan is in full cooperation,” Rubio said.

The Secretary of State emphasized that the oil-rich East African transitional government must cease exploiting its relationship with the United States.

U.S. Sec. of State Marco Rubio revokes all visas for South Sudanese passport holders, effective immediately, citing their government's refusal to accept repatriated citizens. Visa issuance is also restricted until cooperation improves. pic.twitter.com/FJp8EWcxPj

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This development affects South Sudanese nationals who had previously been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the Biden administration, a designation that was set to remain in effect until May 3, 2025.

The announcement follows recent concerns expressed by UN leadership about South Sudan’s stability. Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for international intervention to prevent the country from descending into another civil war.

The situation in South Sudan has become increasingly precarious, with Guterres highlighting both security and political crises, particularly following the government’s recent detention of First Vice President Riek Machar.

BREAKING: US revokes all South Sudan visas, bars future issuance until deportees accepted https://t.co/QLgrzquc75

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 5, 2025

South Sudan’s journey as an independent nation began in July 2011, following two decades of internal conflict. However, the initial hope surrounding its independence from Sudan was quickly overshadowed by political turmoil in 2013, when disputes within the Sudan People’s Liberation Army sparked widespread violence.

Since then, the country has been mired in ongoing political, ethnic, and communal conflicts, creating a complex humanitarian situation that continues to challenge both regional stability and international relations.

The revocation of visas represents a significant shift in U.S. policy toward South Sudan, effectively ending the protected status that had allowed South Sudanese nationals to remain in America temporarily.