Khaman Maluach's Visa Revoked Amid U.S. Policy Change
Khaman Maluach, an 18-year-old Duke basketball prospect with top NBA draft potential, is impacted by a Trump Administration policy revoking all South Sudanese visas. Retaining his student visa, he risks deportation if his status changes.
Published on April 12, 2025
On April 6, 2025, the Trump Administration announced a controversial policy change revoking visas for all South Sudanese nationals. The cited reason was South Sudan’s failure to repatriate its citizens promptly—a move that has drawn global attention to the case of Khaman Maluach, an 18-year-old basketball prospect standing at 2.18 meters tall. With strong chances of being selected in the top 10 of the 2025 NBA draft, Maluach currently plays at Duke University.
Although he retains his student visa for now, Maluach faces the looming threat of deportation if his status changes, a situation compounded by his prohibition from leaving the U.S. Analysts noted that if re-entry were denied, his future in American basketball might be severely jeopardized. Duke University is currently reviewing the implications of this sweeping policy decision along with renewed diplomatic and administrative discussions surrounding the issue.