The United States has revoked all visas issued to South Sudanese passport holders and will deny entry to any citizens of South Sudan at its borders, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Saturday. The move follows the South Sudanese government’s refusal to accept its nationals who have been deported from the U.S.
Rubio cited the “failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner,” calling the action a necessary step to uphold U.S. immigration policy. “Every country must accept the return of its citizens,” Rubio said. “It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States.”
The visa ban comes amid rising tensions in South Sudan, where renewed fighting has threatened to unravel a fragile 2018 peace agreement. The U.S. had already ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel from its embassy in Juba on March 8, citing escalating violence between local and ethnic factions.
The decision may impact South Sudanese residents in the U.S., many of whom have lived under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to instability in their home country. That status is set to expire on May 3, putting thousands at risk of deportation.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but civil war broke out just two years later following a political rift between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The conflict killed over 400,000 people and displaced millions. Despite the 2018 peace deal, key provisions—including elections, constitutional reform, and the integration of armed forces—remain unfulfilled.
The U.S. has clashed with other countries over deportation enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration. In January, Colombia initially refused to accept deported nationals aboard U.S. military flights but reversed course after threats of economic sanctions.
The visa revocation may also affect high-profile South Sudanese nationals in the U.S., such as Khaman Maluach, an 18-year-old basketball star at Duke University. Maluach, who previously played for South Sudan’s Olympic team, was born in war-torn South Sudan but grew up in Uganda. Duke University issued a statement Sunday saying it is “aware of the announcement… and working expeditiously to understand any implications for Duke students.” Maluach is widely regarded as a top NBA prospect following his performance during the college basketball season.
