US Government Revokes Visas for South Sudanese Citizens

The US has revoked visas for South Sudanese citizens amid rising tensions.

News Summary

The US Secretary of State has announced the immediate revocation of visas for all South Sudanese passport holders, citing tensions over repatriation. This decision highlights ongoing issues within South Sudan’s transitional government and raises concerns over potential civil war. While Temporary Protected Status remains valid for some, uncertainty looms for many South Sudanese in the US. This significant policy shift marks increased scrutiny of US deportation practices during a time of heightened political instability in South Sudan.

US Government Shakes Things Up by Revoking Visas for South Sudanese Citizens

In a surprising move, the US Secretary of State has announced that all South Sudanese passport holders will have their visas revoked immediately. This decision comes amid rising tensions between the US and South Sudan, particularly regarding the repatriation of South Sudanese citizens.

The Backstory

For a while now, South Sudan’s government has been reluctant to accept its own citizens back from the US. This reluctance seems to stem from ongoing political squabbles within the country’s transitional government. As a result, the US is not only revoking existing visas but also blocking any new arrivals from South Sudan at its borders. The expectation is straightforward: if a country wants to avoid deportations, it should be prepared to welcome back its citizens.

Recent Developments

In addition to the visa revocation, concerns are mounting over the potential for South Sudan to slip back into civil war, especially given the political fractures among its leaders. Recently, the US took the precautionary step of evacuating non-emergency personnel from South Sudan, signaling that conditions are deteriorating quickly in the region. This move is particularly worrisome because it threatens the fragile peace that had been established by a deal in 2018.

Temporary Protected Status: A Lifeline for Many

Many South Sudanese individuals in the US have been living under a program known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows them to stay due to dangerous conditions back home. While TPS for South Sudanese nationals is still valid until May 3, 2025, the recent changes raise uncertainty about the future. Currently, about 133 South Sudanese individuals are covered under TPS, with another 140 eligible to apply for this safety net as of September 2023.

A Short History Lesson

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but quickly found itself mired in conflict. The civil war that erupted not long after has resulted in an astonishing death toll—over 400,000 people from 2013 to 2018. Although a power-sharing agreement in 2018 aimed to put an end to the bloodshed, the implementation of vital components like a new constitution and timely elections remains a distant dream. Sadly, sporadic violence continues across various regions of South Sudan, further complicating efforts for stability.

Wider Context

This isn’t the first time the US government has faced heat for its deportation policies. There has been noticeable backlash over previous deportation actions involving nationals from various countries, and the atmosphere of criticism is now bubbling to the surface once more. The current administration has also begun to rescind TPS designations for different groups, having already removed protections for over 600,000 Venezuelans.

A New Wave of Fear

With this recent announcement, fears are growing among South Sudanese citizens in the US, particularly as desperation spreads among Africans seeking to migrate. Many are now looking to the US southern border as an alternative to the perils of dangerous migration routes into Europe.

What’s Next?

The revocation of visas marks a significant shift, as it’s the first specific action targeting all citizens of a country since a recent change in leadership. As the situation unfolds, both US officials and South Sudanese leaders will need to find common ground to address the pressing issues of repatriation and safety. Meanwhile, many folks are left wondering what the future holds for them as these geopolitical tensions continue to thrum beneath the surface.