U.S. Administration Rescinds Visas for South Sudanese Amid Deportation Dispute

In a significant policy shift, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of visas for all South Sudan passport holders due to the transitional government's lack of cooperation in accepting repatriated citizens, highlighting the administration's aggressive deportation agenda.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Saturday a sweeping move to revoke the visas of all South Sudan passport holders, citing the transitional government’s failure to promptly accept its deported citizens. This decision, conveyed through a statement from the State Department, underlines an escalating stance in the Trump administration's immigration policy. Rubio indicated in a social media update that he would also restrict future visa issuances for South Sudanese, attributing the measure to the government’s inability to facilitate the repatriation process.

The aggressive stance follows an earlier threat made by President Trump, who warned Colombian officials of potential visa revocations and tariffs for their noncompliance in accepting U.S. military deportation flights. Colombian authorities quickly reversed their position, but the situation with South Sudan appears more complex.

This latest visa revocation represents a continued focus by the Trump administration on expeditious deportations, a promise Trump made during his campaign. In response, some deportees have initiated legal actions against the government, resulting in temporary restraining orders issued by judges in some cases.

Lucas Guttentag, who served as a Justice Department official during the Biden administration, criticized the move, emphasizing the unfair repercussions for lawful visa holders and the detrimental impact of national origin-based decisions on innocent individuals. South Sudan officials have yet to respond to the announcement.