Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Saturday that he was revoking the visas of all South Sudan passport holders due to the transitional government’s refusal to accept citizens being deported by the Trump administration. Rubio blamed the “failure of South Sudan’s transitional government” for the decision and stated that further issuance would be restricted until cooperation was achieved.
This move follows a similar action taken by President Trump in January against Colombian officials. The Trump administration’s intense focus on deporting foreign citizens quickly has led to lawsuits from potential deportees and temporary restraining orders issued by judges.
Rubio’s decision reflects the administration’s efforts to conduct a mass deportation campaign, arguing that revoking visas is in line with American foreign policy. The US government has faced challenges with countries accepting deportees, leading to visa sanctions in the past.
In response to Rubio’s actions, former Justice Department official Lucas Guttentag criticized the move as detrimental to innocent and law-abiding visa holders. Notable individuals affected by the visa revocations include former Costa Rican President Óscar Arias Sánchez.
The Biden administration offered protection from deportation for migrants from South Sudan in 2023 due to violence in the country, with these protections in place until May. Rubio’s decision to revoke visas for South Sudanese travelers and immigrants reflects ongoing efforts to prioritize deportation within the Trump administration.
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