Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday announced the U.S. will revoke visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and no others will be issued, effective immediately.

Rubio attributed the change to “the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner,” according to a statement posted on X.

The U.S. Department of State on Saturday wrote in a statement that it is time for the transitional government of South Sudan to “stop taking advantage” of the U.S.

“Enforcing our nation’s immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States,” according to the statement. “Every country must accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner when another country, including the United States, seeks to remove them. ”

The department said it “will be prepared to review these actions when South Sudan is in full cooperation.”