US cancels visas for South Sudanese over deportation dispute

BBC - Apr 6th, 2025
Open on BBC

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate revocation of visas for all South Sudanese passport holders, citing the refusal of South Sudan's government to accept its repatriated citizens. This decision is a part of President Donald Trump's strict immigration policy focusing on mass deportations. The US will also block any South Sudanese citizens from entering at its ports. The move aims to pressure South Sudan's transitional government to comply with international norms regarding deported citizens, as tensions rise over the country's unstable political situation.

The decision comes amidst growing concerns that South Sudan could descend back into civil war, threatening a fragile peace agreement from 2018. The US had recently ordered non-emergency staff to leave South Sudan due to regional fighting. South Sudan, having gained independence in 2011, has faced ongoing violence and political instability. Historically, South Sudanese in the US were under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing them to remain temporarily, but this status is set to expire soon. The US's stance echoes its recent deportation disputes with other countries, such as Colombia, highlighting the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement approach.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and accurate account of the US decision to revoke visas for South Sudanese nationals, aligning with current US immigration policies. It effectively conveys the main points and context but could benefit from a broader range of perspectives, particularly from South Sudanese sources, to enhance balance and engagement. While the story is clear and accessible, additional transparency and source variety would strengthen its credibility. Overall, the article is informative and relevant but has room for improvement in providing a more comprehensive and balanced view of the situation.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports the US decision to revoke visas for South Sudanese passport holders, citing the refusal of South Sudan to accept its deported citizens. This aligns with US policy under President Trump's administration to enforce immigration laws strictly. The story correctly notes the involvement of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the announcement and the broader context of US immigration policy, including the emphasis on deportations. However, some claims, such as the exact nature of the diplomatic tensions and the specific details of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese, require further verification to ensure complete accuracy.

6
Balance

The article presents a predominantly US-centric perspective, focusing on the actions and policies of the US government. While it mentions South Sudan's refusal to accept deported citizens and the potential political instability within the country, it does not provide a South Sudanese perspective or response. This creates an imbalance in the narrative, as the story lacks input from South Sudanese officials or citizens who might be affected by the visa revocation. Including these perspectives would provide a more balanced view of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to convey the main points, making it accessible to a general audience. It logically presents the sequence of events and the rationale behind the US decision. However, the narrative could benefit from more detailed explanations of complex issues, such as the implications of TPS and the historical context of South Sudan's political situation, to enhance reader understanding.

7
Source quality

The story references US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the primary source, which lends credibility to the report. However, it does not cite additional sources or documents that could provide further context or corroborate the claims made. The reliance on a single source, even a high-ranking official, can limit the depth of the reporting and overlook other relevant perspectives or information.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the US decision to revoke visas but lacks transparency in terms of the methodology or evidence supporting the claims about South Sudan's refusal to accept deported citizens. It does not disclose potential conflicts of interest or biases that might affect the reporting. Greater transparency about the sources of information and the context of the decision would enhance the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.geo.tv/latest/598629-us-cancels-all-south-sudan-visas-amid-repatriation-dispute
  2. https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/US-revokes-all-South-Sudan-visas-over-failure-to-repatriate-citizens-49541385/
  3. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1298526-us-revokes-all-visas-for-south-sudan-citizens-over-deportation-dispute
  4. https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/what-is-happening-in-south-sudan-us-revokes-visas-for-people-from-central-african-nation-article-151355704
  5. https://www.kulr8.com/news/national/us-to-revoke-all-visas-for-south-sudanese-rubio/article_19e87b71-ff79-5ecf-a005-19ea4b1dae71.html