Mon Apr 07 13:40:33 UTC 2025: **US Imposes Visa Ban on All South Sudanese Nationals Following Deportation Dispute**

**JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN/WASHINGTON D.C.** – The United States has imposed a blanket visa ban on all South Sudanese citizens, escalating a diplomatic row sparked by a single deportation case. The ban, announced Saturday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, cites a lack of cooperation from the South Sudanese government in accepting the return of its citizens.

The dispute centers around a deportee whom South Sudanese officials claim is Congolese, not South Sudanese. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau detailed the case, stating that while the South Sudanese embassy in Washington D.C. initially verified the individual’s South Sudanese citizenship and issued an emergency travel document, Juba later rejected him upon arrival. The U.S. contends this violates international agreements regarding repatriation.

The Trump administration considers this a matter of national security, triggering the unprecedented visa ban. While the South Sudanese government has yet to officially respond, social media posts express outrage and accuse the U.S. of “bullying” and collective punishment.

This action impacts thousands of South Sudanese, including students, athletes, and those with temporary protected status due to ongoing conflict in the country. The ban casts a shadow over the already precarious situation in South Sudan, where renewed violence between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar threatens to reignite a full-scale civil war. The recent clashes, arrests, and the ongoing political instability have raised serious concerns among international observers. The U.S. has already ordered the departure of non-emergency staff from the country. The visa ban further strains relations between the two nations amidst a complex humanitarian and political crisis.

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