WASHINGTON, DC – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced today that the United States is taking immediate action in response to South Sudan’s refusal to accept its citizens who have been removed from the US. Rubio stated that all visas issued to South Sudanese passport holders are being revoked, and incoming citizens of South Sudan will be blocked at US ports of entry. This decision comes as part of President Trump’s efforts to crack down on unlawful migrants in the US.
Rubio expressed frustration with the transitional government of South Sudan for failing to cooperate in the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner. He emphasized the importance of every country accepting the return of its citizens when another country seeks to remove them. The refusal of South Sudan to comply has prompted the US to take decisive action.
The situation in South Sudan has raised concerns about a potential resurgence of civil war in the country. Recent regional fighting prompted the US to order non-emergency staff to leave the nation, jeopardizing a fragile peace deal reached in 2018. South Sudanese nationals in the US were granted Temporary Protected Status, which is now set to expire by May 3rd.
Despite gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has faced internal conflicts, including a civil war that resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties. While a power-sharing agreement in 2018 brought an end to the violence, key components of the deal remain unimplemented. Ethnic and local violence has continued in parts of the country, raising concerns about stability.
The Trump administration’s stance on deportations has created tensions with other governments, as seen in a recent incident involving Colombia. The clash over deportations of nationals highlights the broader implications of immigration policies on diplomatic relations. Duke University basketball player Khaman Maluach, a prominent South Sudanese citizen in the US, is among those affected by the recent visa actions.
Maluach, who played for the South Sudanese Olympic basketball team, faces uncertainty regarding his visa status. His potential NBA career hangs in the balance as the situation unfolds. The implications of the visa revocations extend beyond individual cases, highlighting the complex intersection of immigration policies and international relations.