The United States has revoked all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, citing South Sudan’s failure to accept the repatriation of its nationals.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision, stating that South Sudan’s transitional government hasn’t respected the principle of accepting its citizens back in a timely manner.
South Sudanese nationals had been granted “temporary protected status” (TPS) by the Biden administration, which shields people against deportation due to war, natural disasters or other extraordinary conditions.
However, this designation is set to expire on May 3, 2025.
Recent violence between government troops and armed opposition groups has escalated tensions in South Sudan, sparking fears of a renewed civil war.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the country is facing a “security emergency” with intensifying clashes and a “political upheaval”.
The US will prevent further issuance of visas to South Sudanese passport holders, and Rubio emphasized that the US will review these actions when South Sudan is in full cooperation.
The decision marks a significant shift in US policy, singling out all passport holders from a particular country for the first time since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025.
