The United States has announced the cancellation of visas for all South Sudanese immigrants residing in the country. In addition, citizens of South Sudan are being barred from entering the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that South Sudan has refused to take back its illegal immigrants who were deported, which led to the decision to cancel all U.S. visas issued to its citizens.
In a statement issued on Sunday (April 6), Secretary Rubio said, “The State Department is taking the necessary steps to cancel all types of U.S. visas issued to South Sudanese passport holders. Measures are also being taken to prevent the country’s citizens from entering the United States in the future.”
Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term as President on January 20. During his first term, he imposed similar restrictions on several Muslim-majority countries. South Sudan is the first country in Trump’s second term to face a total entry ban on all its passport holders. The move is seen as a reflection of Trump’s strong anti-immigration stance during his election campaign.
Secretary Rubio further stated that South Sudan’s caretaker government is “taking undue advantage of opportunities from the United States.” He said, “When a country wants to deport citizens of another country, it is expected that the latter will accept them in a timely manner.” Rubio added that if South Sudan changes its stance, the decision may be reconsidered.
South Sudan is the world’s youngest country and also one of the poorest. Most of its people are Christians. The country is currently experiencing political instability. There are fears that the civil war from 2013 to 2018, which claimed 400,000 lives, may erupt again.
During the administration of former President Joe Biden, South Sudanese nationals were granted “Temporary Protected Status” (TPS), which prevented their deportation. However, this protection will expire on May 3, 2025.