Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) led her colleagues in urging the Trump administration to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudan. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Members warn that terminating TPS places South Sudanese nationals in the United States in immediate danger.

 

The lawmakers describe the ongoing violence and instability that continue to threaten civilians in South Sudan. Despite the 2018 peace agreement, armed clashes, detentions, human rights violations, and sexual violence remain widespread. Nearly 400,000 people have been displaced since March, and United Nations officials have described the situation as a security emergency.

 

The Members wrote, “These conditions make clear that South Sudanese nationals cannot return safely at this time. The continuing conflict and collapse of essential institutions clearly fall within the statutory grounds for TPS.”

 

The Members are urging the Administration to immediately extend and redesignate TPS for at least six months, warning that forcing people to return to a country facing extreme violence and humanitarian crisis would contradict U.S. law and long-standing humanitarian practice.

 

In April 2025, Congresswoman Ross urged Secretary Rubio to reverse the agency’s decision to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders.

The full text of the letter is available here.

 

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