US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of all visas held by South Sudanese nationals and a halt to new visa issuances. The move targets South Sudan’s transitional government for its failure to timely accept repatriated citizens. Rubio said the restrictions are effective immediately and could be reviewed if South Sudan fully cooperates.
This marks the first time since President Donald Trump returned to office on January 20 that a blanket measure has been imposed on passport holders from a specific country. Trump previously campaigned on strict immigration policies.
South Sudan has been politically unstable since gaining independence in 2011. A civil war broke out soon after, and although a peace deal led to a transitional government in 2020, tensions remain high. Last month, forces loyal to President Salva Kiir placed Vice President Riek Machar under house arrest, pushing the fragile peace to the brink. UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently warned of renewed conflict.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is moving to rescind “temporary protected status” (TPS) designations, including for South Sudanese nationals. TPS shields individuals from deportation if returning home poses serious risks. Around 133 South Sudanese are currently under TPS in the US, with 140 more eligible. The designation is set to expire on May 3, 2025. In January, TPS was also revoked for over 600,000 Venezuelans, signaling a broader rollback of protections under the Trump administration.
Let me know if you’d like a more formal or more concise version.
