Conditions in South Sudan no longer meet the statutory requirements, the Department of Homeland Security has said
The US has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals, a designation that has for years allowed people from the conflict-torn East African country to remain in the US legally.
The decision was taken following a review of conditions in South Sudan and in consultation with the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Wednesday. It will take effect on January 5, 2026.
“After conferring with interagency partners, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem determined that conditions in South Sudan no longer meet the TPS statutory requirements,” the DHS said in a statement.
It urged people from Africa’s newest country to “take advantage of a safe, secure way to self-deport that includes a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and potential future opportunities for legal immigration.” Affected individuals should do so by using the US Customs and Border Protection mobile app to report their departure, according to the statement.
South Sudan has held TPS designation since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The designation, which is renewed in 18-month increments, has been extended multiple times, and the previous extension expired on November 3.
The TPS allows eligible nationals to live and work in the US temporarily when returning safely is not possible. Other African countries currently on the roster include Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
The decision comes amid a broader tightening of US immigration policy under the administration of President Donald Trump. Trump has rolled out stricter measures, including visa revocations and deportations affecting several countries.
South Sudan has remained volatile since the end of a five-year civil war that erupted in 2013 over a feud between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his current first vice president, Riek Machar. The conflict displaced millions and left an estimated 400,000 dead. Despite a 2018 peace deal allowing the rivals to share power, political tensions persist.
In May, Washington ordered non-emergency staff from South Sudan to depart amid escalating unrest over the detention of Machar on charges including murder and treason.
