Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces the revocation of visas for South Sudanese passport holders due to the country's failure to accept deportees promptly, mirroring previous immigration policies under the Trump administration.
Visa Revocations Create Tensions with South Sudan in Ongoing Deportation Saga
Visa Revocations Create Tensions with South Sudan in Ongoing Deportation Saga
The Trump administration's crackdown on immigration sees visa revocations for South Sudanese citizens after ongoing repatriation delays.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Saturday that he has taken the unprecedented step of revoking visas for all South Sudanese passport holders. This decision stems from the transitional government of South Sudan's failure to accept its citizens being deported by the Trump administration in a "timely manner." Rubio's announcement comes alongside a commitment to restrict further visa issuances to South Sudanese, as he blamed the South Sudanese government for not facilitating the repatriation process effectively.
Rubio's stance echoes a similar ultimatum he issued in late January regarding Colombian officials, where he threatened visa revocations and tariffs due to delays in accepting deported Colombian citizens. In that instance, Colombia quickly reversed its decision following pressure from the U.S. government. Rubio's broader approach signals a continuation of the Trump administration's strict immigration policies, which aim to expedite the deportation of foreign nationals, a core promise made during Trump's presidential campaign.
As part of this deportation effort, several individuals facing removal have filed lawsuits against the administration, leading some judges to issue temporary restraining orders that complicate the process. Officials in South Sudan were unavailable for immediate comment regarding this unfolding situation.
Critics, including Lucas Guttentag, a former Justice Department official from the Biden administration, have condemned Rubio's actions as punitive toward innocent visa holders, emphasizing the need for meaningful diplomatic engagement rather than harsh punitive measures that disrupt lives based on nationality. The repercussions of these actions on U.S.-South Sudan relations remain to be seen.
