U.S. Revokes Visas for South Sudanese Nationals: In a bold move that has rattled diplomatic circles, the United States announced it would revoke all South Sudan visas over the African nation’s refusal to accept repatriated citizens.
The decision, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscores Washington’s growing frustration with Juba’s non-compliance with immigration agreements.
Rubio stated that South Sudan had “failed to respect the principle that every country must accept the return of its citizens promptly,” prompting the US to impose immediate visa restrictions on all South Sudanese passport holders.
The new policy, effective immediately, will revoke all current US visas issued to South Sudanese nationals and suspend any further visa issuances until further notice. “This is a matter of principle,” Rubio said. “No country should be allowed to benefit from international mobility while refusing to take responsibility for its own people.”
The US has repeatedly warned countries that they must cooperate in the removal of undocumented citizens. South Sudan has now become the latest to face the consequences, joining a short list of nations sanctioned under this aggressive immigration enforcement strategy.
Decision Coincides with Internal Crisis
The visa ban arrives at a time when South Sudan is already on the brink of a new civil war. African Union mediators are currently in Juba, hoping to ease tensions following the recent house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar. President Salva Kiir’s government accuses Machar of stirring rebellion through his past affiliations with the White Army militia.
Machar’s allies deny any current involvement in recent clashes in the Upper Nile region, but the situation has reignited ethnic divisions reminiscent of the bloody 2013–2018 civil war that claimed nearly 400,000 lives.
Move Deepens Isolation
The decision to revoke all South Sudan visas will likely worsen the country’s already strained international standing. With political instability, economic hardship, and now diplomatic isolation growing, South Sudan is finding itself cornered both internally and externally.
The US said it is open to reviewing the visa sanctions but only if South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation in accepting its deported citizens. Until then, thousands of South Sudanese students, workers, and families may be left in limbo.
How the US Revoke South Sudan Visa Policy Affects Citizens
South Sudanese citizens holding valid visas will no longer be allowed entry into the United States, even if their documents were issued lawfully before the new policy. This has sparked fear and confusion among those planning travel for education, business, or medical treatment.
“I had secured a scholarship in New York and was set to travel next month. Now, everything is gone,” said Mary A., a university student in Juba.
Others, like business professionals and those with dual citizenship, are also scrambling to understand their legal status following the blanket visa revocation.
Fallout in Diaspora Communities
South Sudanese diaspora groups in the US have condemned the blanket measure, calling it discriminatory and counterproductive. “Punishing an entire population for government failures isn’t fair,” said one community leader in Minneapolis, home to a large South Sudanese community.
However, US officials argue that the visa ban is a legitimate enforcement tool used to uphold the integrity of immigration systems.
Can South Sudan Reverse the US Revoke South Sudan Visa Ban?
For South Sudan, the path to lifting the visa ban is clear but politically challenging. The US has indicated it will reconsider its decision only when the Juba government fully complies with repatriation efforts. This includes swiftly processing deportation requests and issuing travel documents for returnees.
But with the current political turmoil, including the internal crackdown on opposition leaders, the likelihood of full cooperation remains uncertain.
