South Sudan Response To United States Announcement Of Revocation Of Visas For South Sudanese Passport Holders

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan wishes to address the recent situation regarding a United States deportee, who was not permitted entry at Juba International Airport on April 5 and April 6, 2025. Upon arrival, it was determined that the individual who presented a South Sudanese Travel Document under the name Nimeri Garang is not Nimeri Garang. Comprehensive verification processes confirmed that this individual is a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo, named Makula Kintu. In accordance with our immigration protocols, he was not admitted and was subsequently returned to the sending country for further processing.

The Government of South Sudan has noted the United States' announcement on April 5, 2025, regarding the immediate revocation of visas for South Sudanese passport holders. This decision was made as a consequence of what was described as the "failure of South Sudan's Transitional Government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner." We would like to clarify that the Government of South Sudan has consistently maintained open communication and cooperation with U.S. authorities regarding immigration and deportation matters. The Government welcomes all its citizens, whether they are returning voluntarily or through deportation processes.

Records available to both governments clearly indicate that Mr. Makula Kintu, born on April 2, 1977, is a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo, not South Sudan. According to information provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Kintu entered the United States on August 21, 2003, and voluntarily departed for the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2009 under File No. A098 150 764. He re-entered the United States illegally on July 10, 2016.