South Sudan Receives Eight Deportees from US Amid Visa Tensions

South Sudan has confirmed the arrival and custody of eight men deported from the United States, including one South Sudanese national and individuals from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, and Vietnam. These deportations followed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling permitting the transfer of foreign nationals convicted of violent crimes, who had previously been detained at a U.S. military base in Djibouti amid legal challenges. South Sudanese authorities are currently screening the deportees to ensure their safety and adherence to national and international laws. The deportations come amid tense U.S.-South Sudan relations, including a recent U.S. visa freeze on South Sudanese nationals as part of migration crackdown policies under President Donald Trump. South Sudan’s government framed the acceptance of the deportees as part of a broader effort to normalize relations, deepen bilateral cooperation, and rebuild trust with the United States. However, some local civic leaders have expressed concern about the impact of receiving individuals convicted of violent crimes on South Sudan’s fragile security and resources.