The U.S. has revoked all visas for South Sudanese passport holders due to the government’s failure to accept repatriated citizens. This decision reflects the U.S. commitment to immigration enforcement and highlights the ongoing crises in South Sudan. The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum has also suspended operations.
On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. government will revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders effective immediately. Furthermore, the U.S. will not issue any future visas for these individuals. This decision stems from what Rubio describes as the transitional government’s inability to accept the timely return of its repatriated citizens.
The U.S. Department of State emphasized the need for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to cease its exploitation of U.S. immigration policies. They affirmed the importance of enforcing immigration laws to ensure national security and public safety, stating, “Every country must accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner.”
The department indicated that it would consider reviewing the visa actions once South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation. Currently, South Sudan is facing imminent civil war, characterized by increasing armed conflict, widespread displacement, and severe food insecurity.
Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum has suspended its operations since April 22, 2023, which includes visa, passport, and routine consular services. This recent visa revocation follows the Trump administration’s decision to end deportation protections for numerous Venezuelans earlier this year, resulting in the potential revocation of Temporary Protected Status for over 300,000 individuals.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this policy shift, and the United Nations’ representatives also declined to comment on the matter.
The U.S. has taken a significant step by revoking all visas of South Sudanese passport holders due to the transitional government’s failure to accept the return of its citizens. This action underscores the U.S. commitment to enforcing immigration laws, particularly in cases where nations fail to cooperate. The situation in South Sudan remains critical, with ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian challenges, indicating that diplomatic and immigration-related relations may be severely impacted in the near future.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
