US Blocks South Sudanese Visas and Arrivals

The United States, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has announced the immediate revocation of visas for all South Sudanese passport holders due to South Sudan's refusal to accept the deportation of its citizens from the U.S. This unprecedented action marks the first instance of the Trump administration targeting all passport holders from a single country, as part of its broader immigration policy aimed at enforcing deportations. The U.S. will also block new arrivals of South Sudanese nationals at its borders. The revocation of visas affects many South Sudanese in the U.S. who are under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which was set to expire in May 2025. The decision comes amid concerns of escalating violence in South Sudan, with fears of a return to civil war despite a 2018 peace agreement. Washington has stated it will review its actions should South Sudan begin accepting its repatriated citizens.