U.S. Revokes All Visas for South Sudanese Passport Holders Amid Diplomatic Standoff

WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a sweeping move, the United States has announced the revocation of all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and has suspended the issuance of new ones, citing the African nation’s refusal to repatriate its nationals who are subject to deportation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement on Saturday, stating: “The State Department is taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and prevent further issuance to prevent entry.”

This marks the first time the Biden-era Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation has been challenged in such a manner since President Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20, reinstating his tough stance on immigration.

Rubio accused South Sudan's transitional government of shirking its responsibilities. “The government in Juba is taking advantage of the United States,” he said. “Every country must accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner when another country… seeks to remove them.” He added that the U.S. would be open to reviewing the measures “when South Sudan is in full cooperation.”

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation and one of the most economically fragile, continues to be plagued by political instability. Tensions between its leaders have raised fears of a resurgence in civil conflict, reminiscent of the devastating civil war that claimed approximately 400,000 lives between 2013 and 2018.

The United States had granted South Sudanese nationals Temporary Protected Status under the administration of President Joe Biden. The designation, which shields individuals from deportation due to extraordinary conditions in their home country, is currently set to expire on May 3, 2025. According to the Department of Homeland Security, around 133 South Sudanese nationals were protected under TPS as of September 2023, with another 140 eligible to apply.

The Trump administration’s latest move follows a broader trend of rolling back TPS protections. In January, TPS status was rescinded for more than 600,000 Venezuelans—an action temporarily halted by a federal judge who questioned the administration’s claims that many Venezuelan recipients were criminals.

According to the Pew Research Center, as of March 2024, there were 1.2 million individuals in the United States who either held or were eligible for TPS, with Venezuelans comprising the largest share.

The decision also comes amid an uptick in African migrants attempting to reach the U.S. through its southern border, a route increasingly favored over more perilous journeys into Europe.

The visa ban on South Sudanese passport holders represents a significant escalation in the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, and could have far-reaching implications for bilateral relations between Washington and Juba.