Most Refugee Contributors, South Sudanese No Longer 'Special' In The US

JAKARTA - The United States (US) will end its temporary protection status for South Sudan. This status termination is effective from January 5, 2025.

The status has been in effect for years allowing the East African nationals to stay in the US legally to avoid armed conflict in their home countries.

"After negotiating with inter-institutional partners, the Minister of Homeland Security of Kristi Noem determined that conditions in South Sudan no longer meet the legal requirements of the TPS," the State Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. The US, Thursday 6 November, quoted by AFP.

The US latest policy adds that South Sudanese citizens who use Customs and Border Protection mobile applications to report returning to their home countries are entitled to receive free aircraft tickets, $1,000 bonuses out, and potential opportunities in the future for legal immigration.

This new policy is a blow to the citizens of South Sudan, a country that is politically unstable in a security and economic manner, as well as one of the most contributors to refugees seeking refuge abroad.

The ceasefire agreement to end an armed battle between rival forces loyal to Sudanese President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar, has been in effect since 2018.

However, observers say the deal weakened following Machar's arrest of criminal charges earlier this year.

Kiir deactivated Machar on the pretext that he should focus on the accusations made by his government, including a case of betrayal.

US President Donald Trump's administration has taken steps to lift various protections that allow immigrants to stay in the United States and who are working legally, including ending temporary status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans and Haitians granted protection under President Joe Biden's administration.

Meanwhile, South Sudan has been designated a temporary protection status by the US since 2011, when the country was independent of Sudan. This determination is updated every 18 months.

The South Sudanese government is struggling to provide many basic state services. The conflict that has lasted for years has made the country highly dependent on aid, which has been hit hard by the massive cuts in foreign aid by the Trump administration.