Washington D.C., April 6, 2025 — In a dramatic escalation of immigration enforcement, the United States has suspended all visa services for South Sudanese citizens and revoked existing visas, citing the government in Juba's failure to fulfill international repatriation obligations.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sweeping measures late Friday, accusing South Sudan's transitional government of obstructing the return of its nationals. The move, he said, comes after repeated diplomatic attempts to resolve the issue were ignored by South Sudanese authorities.
“I am taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and to restrict any further issuance to prevent entry into the United States, effective immediately,” Rubio stated in a post shared on social media platform X.
A follow-up statement from the Deputy Secretary of State emphasized that the U.S. expects all countries to comply with international repatriation standards.
“Let there be no mistake: the Administration is committed to robust enforcement of our Nation’s immigration laws, and expects all other countries to accept repatriation of their own nationals,” the statement read.
According to the State Department, the dispute centers around South Sudan’s refusal to accept a national who had already been verified by its own embassy in Washington. The individual's return had reportedly been delayed for months, triggering frustration within U.S. immigration and diplomatic circles.
“In light of this violation, all visa appointments for South Sudanese applicants are cancelled," the Deputy Secretary said. "No new visas will be issued, no existing visas will be effective, and hence no one from South Sudan will be entering the United States on a visa until this matter is resolved.”
The visa suspension affects a wide range of individuals, including students, business travelers, and holders of previously valid visas who have not yet entered the U.S.
South Sudanese authorities have not yet issued an official response to the move, which could have wide-ranging implications for diplomatic relations and humanitarian cooperation. The country, which gained independence in 2011, continues to face scrutiny over delays in implementing key provisions of its transitional peace agreement and longstanding governance challenges.
It remains unclear how long the visa ban will remain in place or what specific steps South Sudan must take to see it lifted.
Analysts warn that the decision could further isolate the fragile nation and potentially strain ties with one of its key international partners.
