Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Saturday that the U.S. will revoke visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, with no new visas being issued effective immediately. This decision was made due to the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of repatriated citizens in a timely manner. The U.S. Department of State emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws for national security and public safety, stating that every country must accept the return of its citizens promptly when another country seeks to remove them. The department indicated that the revocation of visas will be reevaluated once South Sudan cooperates fully.
The situation in South Sudan is dire, with the country on the brink of civil war, escalating armed conflict, mass displacement, and severe food insecurity. The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, suspended its operations, including visa, passport, and other consular services, on April 22, 2023. This decision comes after the Trump administration ended deportation protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in the U.S., revoking the status of over 300,000 nationals protected by temporary protected status. The administration has deported more than 100,000 illegal migrants since taking office, reflecting its strict stance on illegal immigration.
The move to revoke visas for South Sudanese passport holders is a significant escalation in U.S. immigration policy towards countries that do not cooperate in accepting the return of their citizens. The Department of Homeland Security has reported that encounters with illegal immigrants are at historic lows during Trump’s first full month in office, demonstrating a shift in enforcement priorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the Republic of South Sudan and the United Nations South Sudan declined to comment on the decision to revoke visas for South Sudanese passport holders.
The U.S. Department of State’s decision to revoke visas for South Sudanese citizens reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting national security. The escalation in deportations and the revocation of deportation protections for Venezuelans indicate a stricter approach to illegal immigration under the current administration. The suspension of consular services at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum and the lack of response from South Sudanese and UN officials highlight the sensitive nature of these issues.
It is imperative for countries to cooperate in accepting the return of their citizens when necessary, as part of the broader framework of immigration enforcement. The revocation of visas for South Sudanese passport holders serves as a warning to other countries that may not be fulfilling their obligations in repatriating their citizens. The decision underscores the administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal immigration and its efforts to strengthen border security and enforce immigration laws. The situation in South Sudan remains precarious, with the country facing multiple challenges that exacerbate the need for cooperation with the U.S. in matters of immigration and national security.
