South Sudan's refusal to accept deported citizens leads to immediate visa cancellations and escalating tensions.
US Suspends Visas for South Sudanese Amid Repatriation Standoff
US Suspends Visas for South Sudanese Amid Repatriation Standoff
US Secretary of State's tough stance signals sharp turn in immigration policy towards South Sudan.
The US has announced a drastic measure affecting all South Sudanese passport holders, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoking their visas due to South Sudan’s refusal to accept citizens deported from the US. This decision, communicated on Saturday, extends to blocking the entry of South Sudanese citizens at US ports.
Rubio criticized the Transitional Government of South Sudan, stating, "The failure to promptly accept the return of its repatriated citizens indicates a disregard for the obligations of nation-states." This move aligns with the Trump administration's broader immigration policy focused on enforcing stricter deportation measures.
The decision to suspend visas comes amid intensifying fears that South Sudan may be on the brink of further civil conflict. Just this past March, the US government ordered its non-essential personnel to evacuate the nation amidst escalating regional violence that threatened to undo a fragile peace agreement from 2018.
Previously, South Sudanese nationals in the US benefited from Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which was set to expire on May 3, 2023. The nation, which gained independence in 2011 from Sudan, has been plagued by internal strife, particularly after a political fallout led to a civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives by 2013.
Despite a power-sharing deal put in place in 2018, critical components—including a new constitution and elections—remain unrealized, contributing to ongoing local violence. Since taking office, the Trump administration has encountered friction with various countries over the deportation of nationals, highlighted by Colombia’s temporary refusal to allow returning migrants on US military flights earlier this year, amidst threats of sanctions.
As tensions continue to escalate in South Sudan, this latest visa cancellation marks a significant shift in US policy and raises questions about the future for South Sudanese nationals living in America.
Rubio criticized the Transitional Government of South Sudan, stating, "The failure to promptly accept the return of its repatriated citizens indicates a disregard for the obligations of nation-states." This move aligns with the Trump administration's broader immigration policy focused on enforcing stricter deportation measures.
The decision to suspend visas comes amid intensifying fears that South Sudan may be on the brink of further civil conflict. Just this past March, the US government ordered its non-essential personnel to evacuate the nation amidst escalating regional violence that threatened to undo a fragile peace agreement from 2018.
Previously, South Sudanese nationals in the US benefited from Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which was set to expire on May 3, 2023. The nation, which gained independence in 2011 from Sudan, has been plagued by internal strife, particularly after a political fallout led to a civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives by 2013.
Despite a power-sharing deal put in place in 2018, critical components—including a new constitution and elections—remain unrealized, contributing to ongoing local violence. Since taking office, the Trump administration has encountered friction with various countries over the deportation of nationals, highlighted by Colombia’s temporary refusal to allow returning migrants on US military flights earlier this year, amidst threats of sanctions.
As tensions continue to escalate in South Sudan, this latest visa cancellation marks a significant shift in US policy and raises questions about the future for South Sudanese nationals living in America.
