US Revokes All Visas for South Sudanese Citizens Amidst Political Tensions

The United States, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has decided to revoke all visas for South Sudanese citizens due to South Sudan’s refusal to accept its expelled nationals. This marks the first such action targeting a specific country since Donald Trump took office, amidst ongoing political strife in South Sudan. The U.S. previously offered temporary protected status to some South Sudanese nationals.

On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States will revoke all visas for South Sudanese passport holders and halt new arrivals. This decision is in response to South Sudan’s failure to accept its nationals who are being expelled from the United States. Rubio stated that the State Department is instituting these measures to prevent further entry and ensure compliance from South Sudan.

This action marks the first time a specific country’s passport holders have been collectively targeted since Donald Trump resumed office on January 20, emphasizing his administration’s anti-immigration stance. Rubio criticized the transitional government in Juba, asserting that it is taking advantage of U.S. leniency and highlighting that all nations should accept the timely return of their citizens.

Rubio expressed willingness to reassess the U.S. stance once South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation with repatriation efforts. South Sudan, the world’s newest nation and one of its poorest, currently experiences significant political strife, raising concerns about the potential resurgence of civil war, which claimed approximately 400,000 lives between 2013 and 2018.

Previously, South Sudanese nationals had been granted temporary protected status (TPS) by the Biden administration, intended to shield individuals from deportation due to their inability to return safely to their country amid conflict. As of September 2023, about 133 South Sudanese individuals held TPS in the U.S., with an additional 140 deemed eligible.

In contrast, the Trump administration has moved to overturn multiple TPS designations, including rescinding protection from over 600,000 Venezuelans, although a federal judge recently intervened, questioning the basis of the government’s claims regarding these individuals. According to Pew Research Center, as of March 2024, there were approximately 1.2 million TPS-eligible or receiving individuals in the U.S., with Venezuelans representing the largest group. The administration’s focus on South Sudan also coincides with an uptick in African migration attempts to enter the U.S. through its southern border, presenting an alternative route to Europe.

In summary, the United States has initiated the revocation of all visas for South Sudanese nationals, highlighting the necessity for South Sudan to cooperate in accepting its expelled citizens. This decision reflects broader immigration policies under the Trump administration, particularly a focus on national security and repatriation. As tensions continue within South Sudan, the implications of this measure could further impact the already fragile state of the nation.

Original Source: www.pasconewsonline.com