U.S tightens immigration as it revokes visas of South Sudanese nationals

By Awan Achiek

The Donald Trump administration on Saturday revoked all visas for South Sudanese nationals, citing noncompliance to repatriate its citizens.

The move is part of broader efforts by President Trump’s administration to tighten immigration enforcement, including the deportation of individuals living in the U.S. without legal status.

The administration has warned that countries refusing to repatriate their citizens promptly could face consequences such as visa restrictions or tariffs.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. revoked visas to all South Sudanese over the government refusing to repatriate its citizens.

“As South Sudan’s transitional government has failed to fully respect this principle, effective immediately, the United States Department of State is taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and prevent further issuance to prevent entry into the United States by South Sudanese passport holders,” Rubio said in a statement seen by the Dawn on Saturday.

Rubio noted that enforcing the immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States.

“Every country must accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner when another country, including the United States, seeks to remove them,” he said.

Rubio said the U.S. would review these actions when South Sudan is in full cooperation.

“It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States,” he said.