(WASHINGTON DC) – The United States government has announced that Temporary Protected Status for South Sudanese nationals will end on 5 January 2026, bringing to a close a residency arrangement that has allowed thousands of South Sudanese to live and work legally in the country for more than a decade.
The decision follows a review carried out by the US Department of Homeland Security in consultation with the US Department of State.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the review concluded that conditions in South Sudan no longer meet the legal requirements needed to maintain Temporary Protected Status.
The government statement said that after discussions across US agencies, the authorities determined that the situation in South Sudan has changed since the designation was first made.
The US government is encouraging affected South Sudanese nationals to take part in an organised self return programme. The programme includes what the statement described as a secure departure process, a free plane ticket, and a departure allowance of 1,000 US dollars.
Based on current market exchange levels, this equals 7,100,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP). Those returning will be required to record their departure through the US Customs and Border Protection mobile application.
Temporary Protected Status was granted to South Sudanese nationals in 2011, the same year the country became independent. The status was designed to offer South Sudanese nationals lawful stay and the ability to work in the US while the country adjusted to its early post independence challenges. It has been renewed several times in periods of eighteen months. Other African countries currently listed under similar arrangements include Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
The latest announcement is part of broader changes to immigration regulation in the United States. In recent years, national immigration policy has become more restrictive, affecting visa eligibility and lawful stay arrangements for a number of foreign nationals.
The current decision places many South Sudanese families and students in the US in a period of uncertainty as they consider future planning.
Community representatives and diaspora organisations are expected to seek further information on how the change will be applied in practice, including how returns will be arranged for families and individuals who have lived in the US for several years.
There is also concern about the effect this development may have on remittances sent home, which play a significant role in supporting households and local businesses in South Sudan.
The South Sudanese government has not yet issued a public response. The development may require increased coordination between the two countries to support returning nationals and ensure social and economic reintegration.
South Sudanese Diaspora in US Faces Uncertainty
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Policy Affected | Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese in the US |
| End Date | 5 January 2026 |
| Support Offered for Return | Free ticket + 1,000 USD (approx. 7,100,000 SSP) |
| TPS First Granted | 2011 (South Sudan’s year of independence) |
| Other African Countries with TPS | Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia |
| Key Concern | Return planning and effect on family and remittance support |