The U.S. has revoked all visas for South Sudanese passport holders due to the South Sudan government’s failure to timely accept repatriated citizens. This decision is part of a broader enforcement of immigration laws and comes amidst escalating conflict and instability in South Sudan. The U.S. Embassy operations have been suspended since April 2023, and the situation will be reassessed once full cooperation is established.
On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States will revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and will refrain from issuing any new visas. This decision is effective immediately and stems from South Sudan’s transitional government’s failure to accept the timely return of its repatriated citizens, as mentioned in Rubio’s statement on X.
The U.S. Department of State highlighted the necessity for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to cease taking advantage of the U.S. diplomatic relationship. The statement emphasized, “Enforcing our nation’s immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States.”
Furthermore, the Department of State indicated its readiness to reconsider the visa revocation once South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation regarding the acceptance of its citizens. Meanwhile, the East African nation is currently facing escalating armed conflict, mass displacement, and severe food insecurity, and is on the brink of civil war.
The ongoing turmoil has also impacted U.S. diplomatic operations, leading the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum to suspend its services, including visa and passport processing, since April 22, 2023. This suspension comes amidst broader immigration policy changes under the Trump administration, which recently ended a deportation protection scheme for over 300,000 Venezuelans living in the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that the Trump administration has undertaken the deportation of more than 100,000 illegal migrants since taking office. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for South Sudan has not yet responded to inquiries regarding these developments, nor has the United Nations addressed requests for comment.
In conclusion, the U.S. has taken decisive action regarding visas held by South Sudanese individuals due to the South Sudanese government’s failure to accept returning citizens promptly. This decision underlines the importance of international cooperation in immigration matters. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy’s operational suspension reflects the ongoing instability in South Sudan, requiring careful management of diplomatic services. Future actions will depend on South Sudan’s compliance and cooperation in addressing these issues.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
