In a series of significant immigration policy shifts over the past week, the Trump administration has implemented two major visa-related actions that have sparked controversy and left thousands of individuals in precarious situations. First, the administration revoked all visas for South Sudanese nationals, and second, it canceled hundreds of student visas across major US universities, particularly in California. These parallel crackdowns highlight the administration's intensified approach to immigration enforcement.
South Sudan Visa Revocation: A Country-Wide Ban
The Policy and Its Justification
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate revocation of all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and a ban on issuing any new visas to nationals of South Sudan. This represents the first time a country has faced such a comprehensive visa sanction under the Trump administration's second term Al Jazeera1.
The justification for this sweeping action centers on a failed deportation case. According to Rubio, South Sudan failed to accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner when the US sought to repatriate them. In his statement, Rubio asserted: "It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States" Reuters2.
South Sudanese officials later claimed that the individual at the center of the dispute, who had been verified as South Sudanese by the country's embassy in Washington and deported to Juba, was actually determined not to be a South Sudanese national upon arrival. The individual was subsequently returned to the US, which the Trump administration viewed as a breach of international protocols regarding the repatriation of citizens Al Jazeera1.
South Sudan's Current Political Climate
The visa ban comes at a particularly precarious time for South Sudan itself. The country is currently on the brink of renewed civil war following the detention of First Vice President Riek Machar last week. President Salva Kiir's government has accused Machar, who led rebel forces during the devastating 2013-2018 civil war, of attempting to foment a new rebellion. African Union mediators arrived in Juba this week for talks aimed at averting another conflict Reuters2.
This political instability compounds the humanitarian crisis in the country, where approximately 70 percent of the population (over 13 million people) require humanitarian assistance. Around 6.4 million people are severely food-insecure, and more than 2 million children face acute malnutrition Just Security3.
Impact on South Sudanese Nationals in the US
The visa revocation has immediate and significant implications for South Sudanese individuals in the United States, including students, professionals, and athletes. An estimated 100,000 South Sudanese were residing in the US as of 2007, although current numbers are likely higher Al Jazeera1.
One high-profile case that has garnered national attention involves Khaman Maluach, a freshman center on Duke University's men's basketball team. Maluach, who represented South Sudan at the Olympics last year, has been projected as a potential first-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft NBC News4.
Maluach recently competed in the NCAA tournament's Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games, recording double figures in both contests before Duke's elimination in the semifinals. His performance in Duke's final game against Houston was notably below his usual standard—scoring only six points with no rebounds in 21 minutes—which some speculate may have been affected by news of the visa policy Yahoo Sports5.
Duke University has issued a statement acknowledging awareness of the State Department announcement and is "looking into the situation and working expeditiously to understand any implications for Duke students," according to university spokesman Frank Tramble Yahoo Sports5.
Criticism of the Policy
The blanket visa revocation has drawn criticism from various quarters. Rebecca Hamilton and Jon Temin, writing for Just Security, argue that the policy "disregards South Sudan war risks" and "overlooks U.S. communities' embrace of refugees." They contend that a more targeted approach, similar to measures taken against Colombian officials in the past, would have been more appropriate and effective. Such an approach would have focused sanctions specifically on key government officials and decision-makers responsible for repatriation policies, rather than punishing all South Sudanese citizens Just Security3.
Critics also point out that the policy ignores the historic ties between the US and South Sudanese communities, including longstanding humanitarian, religious, and cultural links, and may force individuals to return to a nation facing imminent civil war Just Security3.
University Student Visa Revocations: A Separate but Parallel Crackdown
Scope and Affected Institutions
Simultaneously, the Trump administration has revoked the visas of dozens of international students across multiple California universities. At least 45 current students and recent graduates have had their visas canceled across institutions including UCLA, UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC San Diego, Stanford, and UC Irvine Los Angeles Times6.
At UCLA alone, 12 community members (six current students and six recent graduates) had their visas terminated. UC Santa Cruz reported three student visa revocations, while UC Berkeley initially reported four cancellations before revising the number to six. Stanford University confirmed that four students and two recent graduates had their visas revoked Los Angeles Times6.
These actions appear to be part of a broader pattern, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating in March that the State Department has revoked more than 300 student visas nationwide NBC News4.
Reasons for Revocation
According to university officials, the termination notices indicate that all revocations were due to alleged violations of the terms of the individuals' visa programs. In some cases, interactions with law enforcement—ranging from arrests to minor citations such as speeding tickets or misdemeanor alcohol-related driving convictions—have been cited as grounds for revocation Los Angeles Times6.
There are also indications that some students may have been targeted for their political activism, particularly related to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Zahra Billoo, quoted in an ABC7 News report, stated: "The Trump administration has made it clear it will target students based on their First Amendment activity" ABC7 News / KGO-TV7.
University Responses
Universities have responded by providing support services to affected students. UCLA has circulated an ICE tip sheet to guide students in dealing with potential encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, provided a hotline for local legal aid, and offered legal support services through the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center based at UC Davis Los Angeles Times6.
UC Berkeley's International Office has been providing guidance and information regarding changing federal policies, while advocacy groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) are "continuing to investigate the situation, in touch with student groups and other legal groups in hopes of advocating for these students who are unduly targeted" ABC7 News / KGO-TV7.
Legal Implications and Options for Affected Individuals
For those facing visa revocations, legal options are limited but do exist. According to immigration attorneys, students whose F-1 visas have been revoked but whose SEVIS records (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) remain active may still legally remain in the US to complete their education. However, they would be unable to reenter the country if they leave Business Standard8.
Those whose SEVIS records have been terminated typically have a 15-day grace period to either leave the country or take steps to restore their status. Options include filing for reinstatement, changing to another visa category, or seeking humanitarian relief if applicable The Guardian9.
For South Sudanese nationals specifically, the situation is more complex. Those who currently hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which the Biden administration extended to South Sudanese nationals in 2023, may still be protected from deportation despite the visa revocation. However, the Trump administration has not clarified whether it intends to review or rescind these TPS designations Al Jazeera10.
Historical Context and Precedent
The use of visa sanctions as a diplomatic tool has precedent in US immigration policy. Under Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the US government may impose visa sanctions when countries refuse to accept the return of their nationals who have been ordered removed from the United States ICE.gov11.
However, the comprehensive nature of the South Sudan visa revocation represents an escalation in the application of these sanctions. Previous administrations have typically targeted government officials and their families rather than imposing blanket bans on all citizens of a particular country Just Security3.
Looking Forward
As these visa policies unfold, affected individuals, educational institutions, and advocacy groups are mobilizing to respond. Duke University continues to assess the implications for Khaman Maluach and other South Sudanese students, while California universities are expanding legal support services for international students whose visas have been revoked.
The policies have raised questions about the balance between national security interests and humanitarian concerns, particularly in the case of South Sudan where returnees may face significant risks amid growing political instability. They also highlight tensions between immigration enforcement and academic freedom on university campuses across the United States.
For now, thousands of individuals navigate an uncertain future as they seek legal remedies or prepare for potential departure from the country they have called home.
This blog post will be updated as new information becomes available.
Note: This blog post synthesizes information from multiple sources as of April 7, 2025. The situation continues to evolve, and readers are encouraged to consult the latest official statements and legal resources for the most current information.
