April 05,2025(GSN) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the US is immediately revoking visas issued to all South Sudanese passport holders due to the African nation refusing to accept its citizens who have been removed from the US.
Rubio, in a statement on Saturday, added that the US will also block any arriving citizens of South Sudan, the world's newest country, at US ports of entry.
He blamed "the failure of South Sudan's government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens promptly".
A cornerstone of President Donald Trump's immigration policy is removing unlawful migrants from the US, with the promise of "mass deportations".
"It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States," said Rubio.
"Every country must accept the return of its citizens promptly when another country, including the United States, seeks to remove them," he added.
South Sudanese in the US were previously granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows them to remain in the US for a set period.
TPS for South Sudanese in the US had been due to expire by 3 May.
South Sudan, the world's newest nation, gained independence in 2011 after seceding from Sudan.
