In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration’s firm stance on immigration issues is showcased once again as Secretary of State Marco Rubio revokes visas for South Sudanese passport holders due to a lack of cooperation from the South Sudanese government.
See the tweet below!
This decision impacts all existing and future visas, sending a strong message on repatriation compliance.
Rubio announced the U.S. government’s decision to revoke visas held by South Sudanese nationals, marking it as a watershed moment since Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office.
He emphasized that this action targets the South Sudanese government’s refusal to accept repatriated citizens expelled from the U.S.
“Every country must accept the return of its citizens when requested by another country,” Rubio asserted.
The revocation includes both existing and future visa appointments, illustrating the severity of the measure, reports The New York Post.
This decision follows longstanding frustrations over South Sudan’s political instability and reluctance to abide by international norms.
The nation is grappling with internal conflict, with rising fears of a renewed civil war.
Recent clashes between government troops and armed opposition groups have only exacerbated this tension.
The last civil war, from 2013 to 2018, tragically claimed 400,000 lives, a history nobody wants to see repeated.
“The US has revoked all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders amid rising political tensions in South Sudan, which have raised fears of a renewed civil war,” said Rubio.
The Biden administration previously designated South Sudanese nationals for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), safeguarding them from deportation under extraordinary circumstances such as war.
This protection was set to expire on May 3, 2025. Meanwhile, approximately 133 South Sudanese were protected under TPS, with an additional 140 eligible to apply.
However, the Trump administration has consistently moved to overturn these protections, affecting not only individuals from South Sudan but over 600,000 Venezuelans as well.
This approach reflects the administration’s broader immigration enforcement strategy.
While avenues for improved cooperation remain open, South Sudan’s response to diplomatic efforts has been sluggish.
International calls for action continue, as highlighted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who urges global leaders to intervene and prevent further conflict.
However, without South Sudan’s compliance, the path to resolution appears challenging.
The U.S. has expressed a willingness to revisit its Visa revocation policy if South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation in repatriating its citizens.
The deteriorating situation underscores the urgency for a negotiated solution, highlighting the role immigration oversight plays in maintaining national security.
As the world watches, the ramifications of this hardline visa policy will test South Sudan’s resolve and illuminate the delicate balance of international immigration policies.
“[We] will be prepared to review these actions when South Sudan is in full cooperation,” Marco Rubio stated.
The message is clear: the U.S. government demands compliance and cooperation from foreign nations to protect its interests and uphold its immigration laws.
Whether or not South Sudan will heed this call to action remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that the Trump administration remains committed to enforcing its robust immigration policies.
The United States is revoking all visas for South Sudanese passport holders and blocking new arrivals, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday, complaining the African nation is not accepting its nationals expelled from the U.S. https://t.co/aDXY5kYhlD
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 6, 2025
