U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Saturday evening that the United States has decided to cancel all visas for holders of South Sudanese passports due to the country's refusal to accept its citizens being deported from the U.S.

Key Announcements:

1. Immediate Visa Cancellation

   • All existing U.S. visas for South Sudanese nationals revoked effective immediately

   • New visa issuance suspended indefinitely

2. Official Justification

   • "South Sudan has failed to comply with the fundamental principle of timely accepting the return of its nationals when another country, including the United States, seeks to deport them." (Rubio statement)

3. Conditional Reversal

   • U.S. will reconsider measures "when South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation"

Context & Background:

• Part of broader U.S. immigration enforcement under the Trump administration's renewed deportation campaign

• Follows pattern of similar visa sanctions against uncooperative nations (e.g., Cambodia 2017, Eritrea 2018)

• Affects an estimated thousands of current visa holders (students, visitors, etc.)

Official Statement Excerpts:

"The State Department has now instituted procedures to invalidate all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and bar future issuance to prevent their entry into the United States."

"We remain prepared to review these measures when South Sudan cooperates fully with its international obligations."