The United States government has announced a major policy shift affecting all South Sudanese passport holders. This includes revoking all valid visas and blocking the issuance of new ones. The move was confirmed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that South Sudan is refusing to take back its nationals who are being deported from the US.
This decision is particularly significant for Eldoret, which is home to a sizable South Sudanese community. Many of these residents have close family members—children, siblings, or spouses—currently living, studying, or working in the United States. The new policy has sparked concern among families who now fear being separated indefinitely.
According to Secretary Rubio, the South Sudanese transitional government in Juba has failed to cooperate with US efforts to deport individuals who have lost legal status. “Every country must accept the return of its citizens when asked,” he said, adding that the visa restrictions will remain in place until South Sudan fully complies.
South Sudanese nationals in the US had previously been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the Biden administration. TPS offers protection from deportation for individuals who cannot return to their home countries due to war, conflict, or natural disasters. That status was set to expire on May 3, 2025, but the Trump administration has started rolling back TPS for several countries, including Venezuela—and now South Sudan.
There are currently around 133 South Sudanese in the US under TPS, with 140 more eligible. The sudden visa ban now leaves these individuals and their families in limbo.
For many families in Eldoret, this decision could delay long-awaited family reunions, halt academic opportunities, or disrupt financial support systems dependent on relatives abroad.
The timing of this policy also coincides with a rising number of African migrants attempting to enter the US through its southern border, a fact that US officials have noted in their immigration policy discussions.
Why This Matters for Eldoret
Eldoret’s multicultural landscape includes many South Sudanese families who contribute to the local economy and social fabric. With several residents maintaining ties to loved ones in the US, the visa ban creates both emotional and economic uncertainty.
