U.S. Revokes All South Sudan Visas in Drastic Diplomatic Shift
In a stunning and controversial foreign policy move, the United States government has revoked all active visas issued to South Sudanese nationals, citing worsening conflict and a failure to address deepening governance issues in the region. The announcement, made by U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio during a briefing, marks a significant escalation in the U.S.'s stance toward the East African nation.
“Every country must accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner when another country, including the United States, seeks to remove them,” Rubio said in a statement, adding that “South Sudan’s transitional government has failed to fully respect this principle.”
The visa revocation affects both governmental and non-governmental travelers, including students, diplomats, business professionals, and members of the South Sudanese diaspora currently navigating the U.S. immigration system. Advocacy groups are warning that the sweeping nature of the policy could separate families and disrupt educational and medical pursuits for South Sudanese nationals residing in or planning to travel to the United States.
As news spread of the decision, outrage reportedly erupted across diaspora communities in the U.S., particularly in cities like Omaha, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C., which are home to large South Sudanese populations. Community leaders are calling the move “inhumane,” “short-sighted,” and an act of collective punishment.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, has struggled with internal conflict and power struggles since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. While a fragile peace agreement was signed in 2018, violence between rival political factions and ethnic groups continues to flare. U.S. officials have repeatedly expressed frustration with President Salva Kiir's administration over corruption, delayed elections, and repeated violations of human rights.
In 2023, the Biden administration offered protection from deportation for migrants from South Sudan through a program known as Temporary Protected Status.
