US Visa Revocation S. Sudan TPS Expiration 2025 Policy

US South Sudan visa ban raises concerns

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Recent U.S. policy shifts have placed South Sudanese nationals in a precarious position. The government has taken drastic action regarding visas. At the same time, updates on COVID-19 vaccination show ongoing challenges, particularly within our communities. Let’s break down what’s happening and what it means.

US South Sudan Visa Ban: Why Now?

The U.S. government made a stunning announcement recently. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared an immediate stop to all visas for South Sudanese passport holders. This drastic measure took effect on April 6, 2025. Not only are existing visas revoked, but new ones are also blocked (CBS News; YouTube; Time). This affects countless families, students, and workers connected to the diaspora.

This visa ban isn’t random; it’s a direct response from the U.S. government. Officials state South Sudan has refused to accept its own citizens who were deported from the U.S. (CBS News). Essentially, the U.S. is using visa access as leverage. This policy consequently puts immense pressure on the South Sudanese government, but it also creates uncertainty and fear for its citizens living abroad.

TPS South Sudan 2025: What’s at Stake?

The visa situation is complicated further by changes to Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This protection, which allowed some South Sudanese to live and work legally in the U.S., is set to expire. The deadline is May 3, 2025 (CBS News). This expiration leaves many vulnerable.

Around 133 South Sudanese residents currently holding TPS face potential deportation (CBS News). An additional 140 people were eligible to apply under the previous administration (Time). These aren’t just numbers; they represent individuals building lives here. For instance, reports mention a Duke University student now facing return to a country potentially on the brink of conflict, tragically timed around Eid celebrations (Time). Therefore, the end of TPS combined with the visa ban creates a deeply concerning humanitarian picture.

South Sudan Civil War US Policy Impact

The timing of these U.S. actions is especially troubling given the situation in South Sudan. Fears are growing about a return to widespread violence. Tensions are escalating between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar (YouTube; Time). This instability raises alarms about repeating the horrific civil war from 2013 to 2018.

That conflict claimed an estimated 400,000 lives (Time). Recent U.S. policy under the Trump administration has arguably made things worse. Cuts in foreign aid have strained humanitarian conditions. These reductions disrupt essential services that depend on aid and even affect oil exports, a key source of revenue (Time). Furthermore, deteriorating relations were already signaled when the U.S. Embassy in Juba reduced staff due to violence (CBS News).

Trump Immigration South Sudan Strategy

This visa ban for South Sudanese citizens fits into a larger pattern. It aligns with the Trump administration’s broader immigration strategy. A key part of this strategy involves pressuring countries to take back their nationals deported from the U.S. (YouTube; Time). Similar actions were taken against Colombia, though the complete visa revocation for an entire nationality is unprecedented here.

The administration has also targeted TPS more broadly. In January 2025, TPS was revoked for approximately 600,000 Venezuelans (CBS News). These moves appear to be part of a systematic effort. The goal seems to be dismantling protections put in place under the previous Biden administration. Consequently, these policies create widespread anxiety among immigrant communities, including many from the African diaspora.

COVID Vaccine Rates: Still Lagging

Shifting focus to public health, the latest COVID-19 vaccine numbers show cause for concern. The uptake for the 2024-2025 vaccine remains low across the board. As of late March 2025, only 23.1% of adults aged 18 and over had received the updated shot (CDC Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard). Worryingly, the percentage intending to get vaccinated is also low, at just 7.8%.

Coverage varies greatly depending on where you live and who you are. Among states and major cities, adult vaccination coverage ranges from a low of 4.7% to a high of 26.1%. In U.S. territories, the rates are even lower, between 0.3% and 2.7% (CDC Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard). Additionally, pregnant women show very low uptake at 14.1%. Within this group, non-Hispanic Black women have the lowest coverage at only 7.0%, compared to 23.4% for non-Hispanic Asian women, highlighting significant racial disparities (CDC Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard).

Vaccine Effectiveness & Disparities

So, how well does the current vaccine work? Studies show it offers moderate protection. It reduces the risk of needing emergency department care by about 33% for adults (Contagion Live). The vaccine performs slightly better against severe outcomes like hospitalization. For immunocompetent adults aged 65 and older, effectiveness against hospitalization is around 45%–46%.

Protection is also noted for immunocompromised adults 65 and older, with 40% effectiveness against hospitalization (Contagion Live). However, researchers couldn’t measure effectiveness well in younger adults or children, likely due to fewer cases. It’s important to note that overall efficacy seems lower than previous vaccine versions. Furthermore, disparities persist beyond pregnancy status. Coverage varies significantly by race and ethnicity among adults generally. Non-Hispanic Black adults have among the lowest rates, while non-Hispanic Asians have the highest (CDC Vaccination Trends). Gaps also exist based on disability, insurance access, and sexual orientation.

Expert Advice on COVID Vaccines

Despite moderate effectiveness and low uptake, health experts still recommend the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises universal vaccination. Their guidance states everyone aged 6 months and older should receive the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine (Mass.gov COVID-19 Info). This recommendation aims to provide a baseline level of protection across the population.

Specific guidance exists for higher-risk groups. The CDC recommends additional doses for adults aged 65 and older. Immunocompromised individuals may also need one or two extra doses, depending on their specific health situation (Mass.gov COVID-19 Info). Likewise, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) supports booster doses for these groups (Contagion Live). Nevertheless, the challenge remains convincing more people, especially those in vulnerable communities, to follow these recommendations amid persistent hesitancy and access barriers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.