In a recent letter sent to Rubio by North Carolina Democrats Reps. Deborah Ross and Valerie Foushee, the two agree that, though the situation in South Sudan is dire, passport holders in the U.S. are not the enemies the administration should worry about.

The recent decision means South Sudanese could be returned to a nation again on the brink of civil war or unable to seek the U.S. as a haven.

“These are members of our communities, students pursuing an education, athletes hoping to compete at the highest levels, workers contributing to our economy, and families who sought safety and refuge in our country,” they said in a letter.

Some South Sudanese passport holders in North Carolina include the Lost Boys of Sudan. They were driven away from their homes and orphaned during the 22-year Sudanese civil war, before being granted refuge in the U.S.

Educational and other opportunities for South Sudanese have been available in the U.S. for years. On Saturday, hours after the State Department announcement, a freshman from South Sudan was in Duke’s starting lineup at the men’s NCAA basketball tournament Final Four.

Khaman Maluach, 18, is a student at Duke and plays center on the university's basketball team. He is from South Sudan and could be deported under this new order from the Trump administration.

Frank Tramble, a spokesman for Duke, informed The Associated Press that the university is diligently working to determine how the announcement will affect Duke students.

Reps. Ross and Foushee stated that law-abiding citizens shouldn’t face arbitrary danger or punishment, urging his immediate action.

Link to full article: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/triangle-sandhills/news/2025/04/08/members-of-congress-urge-rubio-to-reconsider-revoking-south-sudanese-passports