U.S. revokes visas for South Sudanese over deportation row
All visas for South Sudanese passport holders have been revoked by the U.S. This decision results from the refusal of South Sudanese authorities to accept deported citizens.
What do you need to know?
- Why did the U.S. revoke the visas? The decision to revoke visas for citizens of South Sudan stems from that country’s refusal to accept its deported citizens.
- When did the decision take effect? U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the decision is immediate.
- What are the U.S.'s next steps? The U.S. government is ready to review the decision if South Sudan shows full cooperation.
What are the consequences for South Sudan?
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that all visas issued to South Sudanese passport holders have been revoked. This decision is a response to South Sudan's refusal to accept its deported citizens. Rubio emphasized that South Sudan is not respecting the principle that every country must accept the return of its citizens when another country wants to deport them.
Will the U.S. change its decision?
A statement released by the U.S. Department of State emphasized that the revocation of visas aims to prevent South Sudanese passport holders from entering the United States. Rubio noted that the U.S. government is ready to review this decision if South Sudan shows full cooperation. "It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States," he added.
The U.S. decision was announced at a time when South Sudan is at risk of a renewed outbreak of civil war. The Trump administration is taking aggressive actions in immigration, including deporting individuals residing in the U.S. illegally. This is the first time such actions have been taken against all citizens of a particular country.
