US stops all visas for South Sudanese over deportation dispute
The United States has stopped giving visas to people from South Sudan and is cancelling all visas already held by South Sudanese nationals.
This move comes after South Sudan’s government failed to take back its citizens who were deported from the US. The US says South Sudan did not act quickly enough to receive those citizens.
The announcement was made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who said the action takes effect immediately.
It is the first time the US has blocked visas for all passport holders from one country since Donald Trump returned as President in January.
Rubio said the visa ban will stay in place until South Sudan fully cooperates and starts accepting the return of its citizens on time.
He however indicated the U.S. preparedness to review this decision when South Sudan fully shows commitment to working with them.
The move is part of tougher immigration steps being taken under the Trump administration.
