Government to Investigate Reports of Foreign Nationals Deported to South Sudan

By Jenifer James

The spokesperson for the South Sudan Police Maj. Gen James Monday Enoka, confirmed that the government will investigate reports of the United States deporting up to a dozen South and Southeast Asian nationals to South Sudan.

In a statement to reporters on Wednesday, Enoka emphasized that the situation will be taken seriously and will undergo official scrutiny once the individuals arrive in the country.

“There are many principles regarding deportations; we act according to the Migration Act. A committee investigates these issues, and once the individuals arrive, their documents will be reviewed to determine their actual country of origin.”

He stressed that identity verification will rely on biometric data and electronic records. “People sometimes try to change their names, but the fingerprint system will identify them,” he said. “This is the kind of artificial intelligence we now use. It will reveal the true identity, even if there are attempts to conceal it.”

He confirmed that a multi-agency committee, which includes members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the police, and the Criminal Investigation Department, has been established to handle such cases.

“We will not jump to conclusions,” he said. “Once they arrive, an investigation will be conducted. If it is found that they are not South Sudanese, they will be deported to their rightful country of origin.”

Enoka urged the public not to panic over the number of deportees being reported. “Let us not be alarmed by the numbers. Situations like this require thorough investigation first. We always act based on facts, not hearsay, so we will inform the media and the public once we have clarity,” Enoka stated. “For now, we await their arrival and the beginning of the investigation.”

Meanwhile, former police spokesperson Col. John Kassara offered a note of caution regarding assumptions about the U.S. deportation process.

“We should not be alarmed,” he said. “Immigration systems in the U.S. are very different from those in countries like South Sudan. They usually coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before deporting individuals and often send details ahead of time.”

The controversy arose after France 24 reported that U.S. immigration authorities had begun deporting approximately 12 South and Southeast Asian nationals to South Sudan. Court documents referenced by media outlets indicated that at least one Burmese national and one Vietnamese national had already been removed to the country.

According to France 24, an immigration lawyer cited in the filing stated that they learned of the deportations from an email sent by a detention officer, noting that one of the individuals, a Burmese national identified as “N.M.,” had been “removed to South Sudan.” Another individual, a Vietnamese national referred to as “T.T.P.,” was believed to have been similarly deported.

As of Wednesday, there had been no official comment from the South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation regarding the reported deportations.