Rubio's decision reflects ongoing diplomatic strains and aims to accelerate the deportation process, citing South Sudan's lack of cooperation.
Trump Administration Suspends Visas for South Sudanese Amid Deportation Tensions
Trump Administration Suspends Visas for South Sudanese Amid Deportation Tensions
In a new directive, Secretary of State Marco Rubio halts visas for South Sudanese as tensions rise over deportation delays.
In a decisive move on Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the suspension of visas for all holders of South Sudanese passports, attributing the decision to the transitional government’s failure to accept its returning citizens promptly. This action marks a notable escalation in the Trump administration's broader immigration policy.
Rubio expressed his intentions in a social media post, declaring not only the revocation of current visas but also a prohibition on any new visa issuances for South Sudanese individuals. He stated, “We will be prepared to review these actions when South Sudan is in full cooperation.” This ultimatum underlines the administration's insistence on taking a hardline stance against countries that do not comply with U.S. deportation efforts.
The visa revocation echoes a past ultimatum issued by President Trump in January, when he warned Colombian officials about the revocation of visas and additional tariffs due to their reluctance in accepting deportees flown back from the U.S. Following that warning, Colombia quickly conformed to the U.S. demands.
This latest visa action underscores a continued focus by the Trump administration on expediting the deportation of immigrants, affirming a commitment made during the campaign trail. Some deportees, however, have pushed back legally against these policies, leading to temporary court orders against the administration’s moves.
As for officials in South Sudan, they were not immediately available for comment regarding this significant policy change. Criticism of the visa revocation has surfaced, with Lucas Guttentag, a former Justice Department official from the Biden administration, labeling it an irresponsible act that jeopardizes the lives of law-abiding visa holders while further convoluting diplomatic relations.
