The United States has declared that it will revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders due to the country’s failure to accept the return of its citizens who have been repatriated from the United States.
This move comes amid growing concerns across Africa that South Sudan could be on the brink of a return to civil war, which has already plagued the nation for many years.
The announcement, made on Saturday, is part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to intensify immigration enforcement. This includes the repatriation of individuals who are in the United States illegally. The administration has previously warned countries that refuse to take back their citizens after they have been deported will face serious consequences, such as visa sanctions, tariffs, or other punitive measures.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated that South Sudan’s continued failure to comply with international norms regarding the return of citizens had prompted the United States to take action. According to Rubio, every country has the responsibility to accept the return of its nationals when another nation, such as the United States, requests their repatriation.
“Effective immediately, the United States Department of State is revoking all visas currently held by South Sudanese passport holders and will prevent the issuance of any new visas to individuals from South Sudan,” Rubio explained. “These actions will be reviewed only when South Sudan is in full cooperation with repatriation efforts.”
The South Sudanese embassy in Washington has not yet issued a statement responding to the US action. However, this development further strains the already delicate relationship between the two countries, especially given the broader geopolitical and security concerns surrounding South Sudan.
