SAN ANTONIO – A State Department ruling announced Saturday could affect star Duke basketball player Khaman Maluach, the Blue Devils’ starting center.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on social media he is ‘taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders.’ Maluach was born in South Sudan and committed to Duke in March of last year. Saturday’s loss to Houston concluded his freshman season.
Rubio attributed the decision to “the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner.”
Contacted by USA TODAY Saturday night, a State Department spokesperson said that the decision would “impact all those who have a U.S. visa in a South Sudanese passport and anyone with a South Sudanese passport who is applying for a U.S. visa.
“We will provide further information and instructions to affected visa holders and applicants as it is available,” the spokesperson said.
Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on X: @ZachOsterman.