The US has revoked visas for all South Sudanese nationals in response to the country’s refusal to accept the return of citizens being deported from the US. The move follows an incident where a man was mistakenly deported to South Sudan, although he was actually Congolese.
South Sudan’s foreign ministry expressed regret over the decision, claiming it was based on a misrepresentation, and provided evidence to US officials. However, the US rejected the explanation, asserting that the South Sudanese embassy had certified the individual as one of their nationals.
This marks the first time the US has implemented such a blanket visa measure under President Trump’s administration, which has emphasized an anti-immigration stance. Additionally, the US has blocked South Sudanese citizens from entering the country, citing the government’s failure to cooperate on deportations. South Sudan’s government criticized the US for exploiting the country’s internal issues, which have escalated amidst fears of a renewed civil war. The situation is further complicated by the looming expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals in the US.
