Washington, D.C.| The United States has announced the immediate revocation of all visas held by South Sudanese citizens and a suspension of future visa issuances, in a sweeping policy move aimed at pressuring the government of South Sudan to accept the repatriation of its nationals ordered deported from the U.S.
The decision, unveiled by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday, underscores escalating tensions between Washington and Juba over what Rubio described as South Sudan’s “persistent refusal” to comply with international repatriation obligations.
“Every country has a fundamental responsibility to accept the return of its own nationals when another country, including the United States, seeks to deport them,” Rubio said in a forceful statement.
“South Sudan has failed to honor this obligation, and in doing so, has taken advantage of American goodwill.”
Effective immediately, the U.S. State Department will revoke all existing visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and will halt the issuance of any new visas.
The sanctions are among the most comprehensive actions undertaken by the Trump administration in its ongoing efforts to tighten immigration enforcement and increase pressure on countries it deems uncooperative in deportation proceedings.
A Shift in U.S. Immigration Strategy
The move aligns with the administration’s broader approach to immigration, which has emphasized stricter enforcement measures and the use of diplomatic and economic tools — including visa restrictions and tariffs — to compel foreign governments to cooperate with U.S. immigration law.
South Sudan now joins a growing list of countries penalized for non-cooperation in repatriation matters.
However, the blanket revocation of all visas represents one of the most far-reaching steps taken thus far, highlighting the administration’s resolve to enforce deportation protocols even at the cost of straining diplomatic ties.
Rubio left open the possibility of reversing the visa ban if Juba changes course. “We remain prepared to review and lift these restrictions once the government of South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation,” he added.
Fallout and Regional Implications
The decision comes at a particularly volatile moment for South Sudan, which continues to grapple with internal political instability and the lingering threat of renewed civil conflict.
The young nation, which gained independence in 2011, remains deeply fractured following a brutal civil war from 2013 to 2018 that left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.
Tensions escalated further last week following the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, a key opposition figure, amid accusations from President Salva Kiir’s government that Machar was attempting to incite rebellion.
The move has drawn the attention of the African Union, whose mediators arrived in Juba this week in a bid to de-escalate the crisis.
Analysts warn that the U.S. visa sanctions could deepen South Sudan’s diplomatic isolation and potentially impact ongoing peace negotiations.
The sanctions may also affect the sizable South Sudanese diaspora in the United States, many of whom arrived under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provisions due to the country’s long-running instability.
Currently, TPS for South Sudanese nationals is scheduled to expire on May 3, 2025.
While the status offers temporary reprieve from deportation, the Trump administration’s broader rollback of humanitarian protections has raised concerns that affected individuals could face increased vulnerability.
Humanitarian Concerns
Immigration and human rights advocates have expressed concern over the humanitarian implications of the decision, warning that collective visa sanctions could punish innocent civilians, many of whom have established lives in the U.S. and maintain close ties to communities back home.
“This kind of blanket policy risks hurting ordinary people more than the leadership it’s intended to pressure,” said one immigration policy expert, who noted that family reunification, academic exchange, and humanitarian travel could all be disrupted.
As Washington awaits a formal response from Juba, diplomatic observers say the latest move could set a precedent for how the U.S. deals with other nations that fail to meet deportation obligations — potentially reshaping international norms around repatriation and immigration diplomacy.
For now, the fate of thousands of South Sudanese nationals hangs in the balance, as two governments confront a growing standoff with profound legal, political, and humanitarian consequences.
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