Recent State Department Directive Throws Duke Star’s Immigration Status into Question

Just as Duke was to take the floor for their Final Four game on April 5, the immigration status of one of their stars was thrown into limbo. The State Department announced that it was revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, while also preventing their entry into the United States.[i] Duke’s star freshmen center, Khaman Maluach who is from South Sudan, is currently attending the university on a student visa.[ii]

In the statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called out the Transitional Government for “taking advantage” of the United States.[iii] Additionally, Rubio called it “critically important” for countries to comply with U.S. immigration law, something South Sudan has failed to do through not accepting deported citizens in a timely manner.[iv] The statement comes as the country, which has struggled with political violence and hunger issues, is on the verge of renewing a decade-long civil war.[v]

At the time of the announcement, it appears that the Maluach would be able to remain in the United States, so long as he does not leave.[vi] For now, the ban only affects those with a South Sudanese passport who are trying to enter the U.S.[vii] Unless a deportation order were to be put into effect, anyone from South Sudan would be able to remain in the country.[viii]

Maluach and his family escaped the violence of South Sudan when he was young, fleeing to the neighboring country of Uganda.[ix] From there, scouts recommended him to the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal, where Duke eventually recruited him for this past season.[x] Maluach, who also competed for South Sudan in the 2024 Paris Olympics, is projected to be one of the top picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.[xi]

With the deadline to declare for June’s draft set for April 26, Maluach is expected to enter the draft, allowing for him to file new immigration documents to allow him to compete in the U.S.[xii] The decision is also not expected to affect players such as the Washington Wizards’ JT Thor and the Portland Trail Blazers’ Duop Reath, who both hold dual citizenship.[xiii]

Maluach’s situation is just the latest in a long line of issues facing college athletics and the current Trump administration. In March, Trump suspended $175 million in funding to the University of Pennsylvania because of the school’s policy regarding transgender athletes.[xiv] In February, the administration repealed recent guidance that NIL payments could trigger the equal opportunity obligations of Title IX.[xv]

Please continue to follow along at the UB Sports & Entertainment Law Forum for continued updates on the state of college athletics.

[i] https://www.state.gov/defending-americas-security-through-visa-and-travel-restrictions-on-south-sudan/

[ii] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6262740/2025/04/07/khaman-maluach-duke-south-sudan-trump-rubio-visa/

[iii] https://www.state.gov/defending-americas-security-through-visa-and-travel-restrictions-on-south-sudan/

[iv] Id.

[v] https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/civil-war-south-sudan

[vi] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6262740/2025/04/07/khaman-maluach-duke-south-sudan-trump-rubio-visa/

[vii] https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/04/duke-basketball-star-could-be-deported-under-new-trump-visa-policy.html

[viii] Id.

[ix] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6262740/2025/04/07/khaman-maluach-duke-south-sudan-trump-rubio-visa/

[x] Id.

[xi] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5308052/2024/03/05/khaman-maluach-nba-draft-academy-africa-wembanyama/