US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate revocation of visas for South Sudanese citizens due to the country's lack of cooperation with deportations, amid rising tensions and fears of renewed conflict.
US Suspends Visas for South Sudan Amid Deportation Controversy
US Suspends Visas for South Sudan Amid Deportation Controversy
In response to South Sudan's refusal to accept repatriated citizens, the US takes swift action by revoking visas for all passport holders from the nation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared that the United States will immediately revoke visas for all South Sudanese passport holders, citing the government of South Sudan's refusal to accept its citizens being deported from the US. In a statement made on Saturday, Rubio criticized the South Sudan transitional government, emphasizing the necessity for countries to accept the return of their citizens when requested by another nation.
This decision coincides with rising concerns that South Sudan might again plunge into civil war. Rubio blamed the delays in acceptance of repatriated citizens for the visa revocation, reinforcing a key element of President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda aimed at enforcing mass deportations. "It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States," he stated, underscoring that individual nations must facilitate the return of their nationals promptly.
The situation worsened recently, with the US ordering non-emergency personnel to evacuate South Sudan amidst escalating regional tensions. This follows a history of providing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to South Sudanese nationals in the US, which was set to expire on May 3. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has faced turmoil since a civil war erupted due to political discord, claiming more than 400,000 lives.
While a power-sharing agreement in 2018 temporarily halted hostilities, critical elements like a new constitution and elections remain unfulfilled. Sporadic ethnic violence continues, complicating the fragile situation. The Trump administration's vigorous approach to deportations has sparked international disputes, reminiscent of recent tensions with Colombia over repatriated migrants.
As tensions mount within South Sudan and the US alters immigration policies, the global community watches closely for further developments regarding the stability and humanitarian situation in the region.
