Vietnamese Deportee Returns Home After Lengthy Detention in South Sudan

In a significant development, Tuan Phan, a Vietnamese national who was deported to South Sudan under a controversial U.S. program, has been repatriated to Vietnam. This follows more than a year of detention in the African nation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in South Sudan confirmed the development in a press briefing, highlighting Phan’s discipline and good health during his time in custody.

Phan was among eight men deported to Africa in May 2025 after a federal judge blocked their initial deportation midflight. The men were temporarily rerouted to a U.S. military base in Djibouti. In July 2025, they arrived in Juba, South Sudan’s capital, after a Supreme Court ruling allowed their removal.

All eight individuals had criminal convictions in the U.S. and completed their sentences before being detained. Agreements with at least seven African countries, including South Sudan, have facilitated the deportation of over 180 people. These agreements involve financial compensation by the U.S. to the host governments.

“We are grateful that while in our custody Mr. Phan was very disciplined, joyful, and importantly, he remained healthy,” said spokesperson Agok Anyar.

The decision to send deportees to South Sudan raised concerns due to the country’s poor human rights record and political instability. In 2025, conflicts displaced over half a million people in South Sudan, according to the United Nations.

Tuan Phan, who immigrated to the U.S. as a child in 1991, was involved in a gang-related homicide in 2000, receiving a 25-year sentence. His deportation was ordered in 2009, and he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after completing his prison term in March 2025.

Despite being removed from the U.S., Phan’s case and others like it have drawn criticism. Human Rights Watch and other organizations express concern over the lack of oversight and transparency regarding the conditions of deportees in South Sudan. Reports indicate that U.S. political considerations influenced agreements with South Sudan, including requests related to sanctions and legal support.

This repatriation highlights ongoing debates over international deportation practices and the treatment of deportees, emphasizing the need for transparency and adherence to human rights norms.