JUBA – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan announced on Thursday that discussions have begun with various countries to repatriate nationals who were deported from the United States on July 5, 2025.
The deportees, who come from Cuba, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, are currently held at the National Security Service facility in Juba.
Addressing reporters at a press conference in Juba on Thursday, Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that high-level engagements are underway to initiate the repatriation process for these individuals.
“I think the six deportees left are from Cuba, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. And our ministry has begun high-level engagements to start the process,” Mayen said.
Mayen emphasized that repatriation is voluntary and that there will be no coercion involved.
“Now we are beholden by international law. We cannot force anyone to go. It’s voluntary repatriation. So, we appreciate the initiative taken by Mexico to take the citizens back,” she said.
“We are also beholden to ensure that we are not pushing these people out but rather that their countries are interested in taking them in.”
Mayen affirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the rights of the deportees are respected during the voluntary repatriation process.
“But engagements are underway, and once we have any updates, we’ll see as we announce the repatriation of the Mexican. Hopefully we will be announcing soon any other possible repatriation.”
She clarified that the deportees have not committed any crimes against South Sudan and that most of them have completed their sentences for offenses in the United States.
“They have served their full terms there, and they are released. Ideally, they were supposed to be released to their countries of origin, but the United States has decided to release them to a third country,” she said.
She reiterated that the US deportees are free to return to their home countries and that the ministry is making efforts to contact their governments for repatriation possibilities.
She explained that the US deportees have not committed any crimes against South Sudan, and they are free to return to their countries of origin.
“This is the most that I can say. And we, again, are in engagement with their governments, or trying to make contact with their governments for possible repatriation.”
She added that “That may not be the only option. Maybe there are other options that could be pursued if their countries do not show interest in receiving their nationals.”
The deportees originate from Cuba, Mexico, Laos, Myanmar, Sudan, and Vietnam and were convicted for various offenses, including murder, homicide, sexual assault, lascivious acts with a child, and robbery.
