On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that the Trump administration is set to revoke visas for South Sudanese nationals living in the United States and will deny new visa applications.
Rubio detailed in a social media post that this move aims to pressure South Sudan to collaborate with U.S. repatriation flights as the administration initiates deportations of undocumented immigrants.
"The South Sudan’s embassy in Washington has affirmed that this specific individual is one of its own citizens."
Rubio stated: "The actions will take effect immediately, as the transitional government of South Sudan has not facilitated a timely return of repatriated citizens, leading to the cancellation of all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and further restrictions on visa issuance to prevent their entry into the United States."
The State Department’s press release indicated that travel restrictions would ensure South Sudan remains suspended from utilizing U.S. visas.
The State Department noted that it would revisit its stance only once South Sudan agrees to assist the United States in its deportation initiatives.
"Upholding our immigration laws is crucial for the national security and public safety of the United States. All nations must promptly accept the return of their citizens when countries such as the United States attempt to deport them," emphasized the agency.
According to the statement, "Since South Sudan’s transitional government has not adequately adhered to this standard, these measures are effective immediately, and the Department of State is proceeding to revoke all visas for South Sudanese nationals, thus preventing further issuance to inhibit their entry into the United States."
Rubio warned last month that the administration would persist in revoking visas where "the presence or actions of individuals could pose significant foreign policy risks."
"We will continue to utilize all available legal measures to expel foreign individuals deemed adversarial," he noted.
South Sudan released a statement, acknowledging the actions by the White House and clarifying its position on deportation flights.
"The government of South Sudan wishes to clarify that it has consistently maintained open communication and cooperation with U.S. officials regarding immigration and deportation matters. The government welcomes all citizens, whether returning voluntarily or through deportation," it stated.
According to South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Axios reported that the administration’s decision to revoke the visas stemmed from an incident involving an individual the U.S. sought to deport. The ministry contended that the individual was a Congolese national, not one specified in the travel documentation.
"The government regrets that despite this history of cooperation and partnership, South Sudan is currently experiencing significant visa revocations based solely on isolated incidents concerning individuals who are not citizens of South Sudan," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of International Cooperation remarked.
Secretary of State Christopher Landau rejected the ministry’s assertion.
"The embassy of South Sudan in Washington has confirmed this particular individual as its citizen," Landau asserted. "Specifically, on February 13, 2025, the embassy certified their nationality as South Sudanese and documented their birthplace (now South Sudan, which was part of Sudan at that time).
"It is clearly unacceptable and irresponsible for officials of the South Sudan government to disregard their embassy’s decision at this stage. The embassy’s certification is definitive, and the matter is settled," he continued. "We cannot maintain a repatriation system that allows foreign nations to dictate and undermine the eligibility for repatriation.
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