US Revokes All Visas for South Sudanese Over Deportation: Shocking Crackdown
Introduction
The Trump administration dropped a political bombshell on April 5, 2025, announcing the immediate revocation of all visas for South Sudanese passport holders. Secretary of State Marco Rubio framed this drastic measure as retaliation against South Sudan’s refusal to accept deported citizens from the United States.
This sweeping decision affects:
– 1,200+ visa holders (State Department estimates)
– 133 TPS beneficiaries facing May 3 expiration
– Dozens of students at Duke, Stanford, and other universities
– Africa’s top basketball prospects, including Duke’s NBA-bound Khaman Maluach
As tensions escalate in South Sudan’s fragile political landscape, this move risks exacerbating an already volatile humanitarian crisis.
US Revokes All Visas Background of the Dispute
US-South Sudan Relations: From Allies to Adversaries
The relationship between Washington and Juba has deteriorated sharply since South Sudan’s hard-won independence in 2011:
| Year | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US supports independence | $1B+ in aid pledged |
| 2013 | Civil war begins | 400,000+ killed |
| 2018 | Peace deal signed | Never fully implemented |
| 2025 | Visa ban imposed | Diplomatic ties near collapse |
The Deportation Case That Broke the Camel’s Back
The crisis stems from a February 2025 incident involving:
1. A man identified as “Makula Kintu” (allegedly Congolese)
2. Certified by South Sudan’s DC embassy as a citizen
3. Rejected upon arrival in Juba
4. Returned to US custody
“This wasn’t about one person—it was about principle,” argued Deputy Secretary Landau in his viral Twitter thread.
US Revokes All Visas Trump Administration’s Hardline Stance
Marco Rubio’s Ultimatum
The Secretary of State’s April 5 statement contained three key demands:
1. Immediate acceptance of all deportees
2. Written verification procedures
3. Full cooperation with ICE
“No more games. No more excuses,” Rubio declared at a press briefing.
The Legal Framework
This marks the first use of Section 243(d) of the INA against an entire country since Trump took office. The law allows visa sanctions against nations that “deny or delay” accepting deportees.
US Revokes All Visas Impact on South Sudanese Communities
Education in Jeopardy
At Duke University:
– 6 South Sudanese students affected
– Basketball star Khaman Maluach may lose NBA eligibility
– University scrambling for legal solutions (NBC News)
At Stanford:
– 2 undergraduates facing revocation
– Bechtel Center offering emergency counseling
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Recipients
- 133 current holders (DHS 2024 data)
- 140 pending applications
- May 3 deadline looming
“These people fled war. Sending them back now is a death sentence,” argued ACLU attorney Omar Jadwat.
US Revokes All Visas South Sudan’s Political Powder Keg
The Kiir-Machar Feud
President Salva Kiir (Dinka) and VP Riek Machar (Nuer) have turned the country into a tinderbox:
March 2025 Escalation:
– Machar placed under house arrest
– White Army militia seizes military base
– UN reports barrel bomb attacks
“We’re seeing 2013 play out all over again,” warned Al Jazeera’s correspondent.
Economic Collapse
- 70% budget reliance on oil exports (now halted)
- 4 million displaced since 2013
- 80% illiteracy rate
US Revokes All Visas Global Reactions
African Union’s Failed Mediation
A high-profile delegation including:
– Kenya’s Raila Odinga
– Burundi’s Domitien Ndayizeye
…was denied access to Machar, signaling Kiir’s defiance.
UN Emergency Session
Secretary-General Guterres invoked Chapter VII, warning of:
– Potential genocide
– Regional destabilization
– 5 million at risk of famine
US Immigration Policy Shift
Trump’s Broader Crackdown
| Policy | Impact | Status |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan ban | 1,200+ affected | Active |
| Venezuela TPS end | 300,000 at risk | Blocked in court |
| Expedited removals | 50% increase | Expanding |
Comparison to Biden Era
- 2023: TPS extended 18 months
- 2025: Full revocation
- Net effect: Policy whiplash
Humanitarian and Legal Concerns
Statelessness Crisis
Many South Sudanese lack:
– Birth certificates
– Citizenship papers
– Tribal identification
“We could be creating a new Rohingya situation,” warned UNHCR’s Gillian Triggs.
Due Process Violations
- No individual hearings
- Retroactive application
- Limited appeal options
Path Forward
Possible Resolutions
- Diplomatic Solution (Most likely)
- AU-mediated compromise
- Phased deportations
- Legal Challenges
- ACLU preparing lawsuit
- University coalitions forming
- Congressional Action
- Rare bipartisan concern
- TPS extension bills proposed
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many people are affected by the visa ban?
Approximately 1,200-1,500 South Sudanese visa holders in the US, plus 133 TPS recipients.
2. Can affected students finish their degrees?
Universities are exploring options, but current visa holders must leave or face deportation after May 3.
3. Why did South Sudan refuse the deportee?
Juba claims the man was Congolese, not South Sudanese—a dispute the US calls “bad faith obstruction.”
4. Has this happened before?
Yes. In 2017, the US imposed visa sanctions on Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea, and Sierra Leone for similar reasons.
5. What’s the connection to South Sudan’s civil war?
The ban comes as fighting between Kiir and Machar factions reignites, creating a perfect storm for refugees.
6. Can the ban be reversed?
Yes, if South Sudan complies with US deportation requests, but political will appears lacking on both sides.
Conclusion
This visa ban represents more than an immigration policy shift—it’s a geopolitical earthquake with human consequences. As South Sudan teeters toward war and families face separation, the world watches whether diplomacy or disaster will prevail.
For those affected, the clock ticks toward May 3 with terrifying speed.
Explore Other Articles:
Discover more from Find Sponsored Jobs
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
