In a significant move, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Saturday that the United States will immediately revoke visas for all South Sudanese passport holders and will no longer issue new visas to South Sudanese citizens. The decision follows South Sudan’s failure to cooperate with the U.S. in the timely acceptance of its citizens who have been subject to deportation orders.
According to a statement from Rubio, the decision was made due to “the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner.” Rubio emphasized that the U.S. is committed to ensuring that all countries, including South Sudan, are held accountable for complying with the basic expectations of international cooperation, especially when it comes to the welfare of their citizens.
The U.S. Department of State echoed Rubio, adding that the United States “can no longer allow other nations to take advantage of our immigration system.” The department further stressed the importance of enforcing U.S. immigration laws to safeguard national security and public safety. The statement asserted that every country must accept the return of its citizens when another country seeks to remove them from its borders.
This latest decision is tied to ongoing tensions between the U.S. and South Sudan regarding the repatriation of South Sudanese nationals who have been residing in the United States, often due to expired visas or criminal convictions. U.S. authorities have accused South Sudan of stalling and obstructing the process.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, is currently facing a multitude of crises, including a civil war that has displaced millions of people, widespread food insecurity, and ongoing political instability. The country has been struggling to form a stable government, with the transitional government in place facing an uphill battle.
The U.S. government has made it clear that it will be prepared to reassess its position if South Sudan fully cooperates in the future. The Department of State indicated that the visa restrictions would be reviewed once South Sudan is in full compliance with repatriation agreements.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for South Sudan has not yet responded to the decision, and the United Nations South Sudan office also declined to comment on the matter. The situation remains tense, with the U.S. signaling its readiness to escalate if necessary.
American officials will likely monitor the country’s response to this visa revocation closely, with hopes that increased pressure prompts the South Sudanese government to prioritize the timely acceptance of its citizens. The outcome of this situation will likely serve as a significant precedent for future cases of non-cooperation with U.S. immigration policies.
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South Sudan has six borders with other countries. Bet you could get a few of them to let them line up on the border, and push them back into south sudan at the same moment. Repatriation completed!
That sounds like a plan, keep up the good work USA.