US Visa Revocation for South Sudanese Amid Deportation Crisis

The US has revoked visas for South Sudanese passport holders and will block their entry at ports, following South Sudan's failure to accept deported citizens, raising concerns over potential renewed civil conflict in the country.

In a significant diplomatic move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate revocation of visas issued to all South Sudanese passport holders, citing South Sudan's refusal to accept its deported citizens. In a statement released on Saturday, Rubio indicated that South Sudanese individuals will also be barred from entering the US, amidst ongoing tensions regarding the repatriation of migrants.

Rubio criticized the transitional government of South Sudan for "failing to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner," which he insists is a fundamental obligation for all nations. This decision aligns with the Trump administration's hardline stance on immigration, which has prioritized the removal of unlawful migrants from the US, echoing the President's commitment to "mass deportations."

As fears mount over a potential resurgence of civil unrest in South Sudan, the US expedited the evacuation of non-emergency personnel from its embassy in the region last month. The relocation was prompted by escalating regional violence that poses a threat to the fragile peace agreement established in 2018.

Previously, South Sudanese citizens residing in the US were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), set to expire by May 3, which provided them with a temporary safe haven due to the precarious situation back home. Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has been plagued by instability, marked by a civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives following a political power struggle.

While a power-sharing accord in 2018 momentarily curtailed the violence, various segments of the agreement, including constitutional reforms and elections, remain unfulfilled, contributing to ongoing strife between ethnic factions. The current visa revocation represents a growing tension between the US and South Sudan, further complicated by recent disputes with other countries over deportation practices.