The U.S. has revoked all visas for South Sudanese citizens due to the country’s refusal to accept deported nationals. No new or existing visas will be honored.
DIGITAL WORLDWIDE NEWS
April 6, 2025
Andrew Juma
No South Sudanese citizen can enter the U.S. on a visa
Why did the U.S. revoke all visas for South Sudanese citizens?
The U.S. government visa ban on South Sudanese nationals was announced after South Sudan failed to accept deported citizens. The visa restrictions against South Sudan came into effect immediately, with all scheduled visa appointments canceled.
The Department of State visa policy for South Sudan states that every country must cooperate in accepting its citizens when deportation is ordered. South Sudan allegedly refused to take back at least one individual, prompting the U.S. to act.
What triggered the U.S. to take this immigration action?
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the issue started with one deportation case. The U.S. deportation dispute with South Sudan escalated after South Sudan ignored diplomatic attempts to resolve it.
The U.S. cancellation of visas for South Sudanese nationals is now a full ban. No one with a South Sudanese passport can enter the United States on a visa until the matter is resolved.
How does this affect South Sudanese citizens already in the U.S.?
South Sudanese people in the U.S. with valid visas may now face travel restrictions. The South Sudan travel visa ban also affects those seeking work or visiting family in America.
About 133 South Sudanese are protected under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudan, which expires next month. These individuals may soon lose legal protections if the issue is not resolved.
Is the visa ban related to President Trump’s immigration policies?
Yes. The Trump immigration crackdown on foreign nationals has targeted groups from specific countries. This is the first time his administration has imposed a blanket ban based solely on nationality.
The TPS immigration rollback by the Trump administration also affects countries like Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua. South Sudan has now joined that list amid rising political tension.
What is happening in South Sudan politically?
South Sudan is once again facing internal conflict. The political crisis in South Sudan intensified after the house arrest of Vice President Riek Machar and his wife, the interior minister.
The renewed civil unrest in South Sudan threatens to end the fragile 2018 peace deal. Financial troubles, unpaid public salaries, and rising ethnic tensions are pushing the country toward more instability.
What happens next between the U.S. and South Sudan?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. is willing to lift the ban. The U.S. conditions for lifting visa ban on South Sudan include full cooperation with deportation procedures.
For now, no South Sudanese citizen can enter the U.S. on a visa, and all existing ones are invalid. It remains unclear when or if the restriction will be lifted.