US Federal Senate Bill SR352

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 7/31/25
• Refer: 7/31/25

Caption

A resolution requesting information on the Republic of South Sudan's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Summary

S. Res. 352 is a Senate resolution requesting that the Secretary of State provide Congress with a detailed report on South Sudan’s human rights practices under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The resolution asks for information prepared with the State Department’s human rights and legal offices and focuses on alleged abuses by the Government of South Sudan, including arbitrary arrest, detention, torture, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and trafficking in persons. A major emphasis of the resolution is the treatment of people who are not citizens of South Sudan but have been removed there by the United States Government. It seeks information on whether such individuals are being given due process, humane treatment, legal status, and protection from further removal, detention, or abuse. The resolution also asks for details about any U.S.-South Sudan agreements, security assistance, assurances, detention conditions, and steps taken to secure the release or return of individuals wrongfully removed to South Sudan.

Impact

If adopted, the resolution would not directly change statutory law or create new legal obligations, but it would formally request a State Department report to Congress and could influence oversight of U.S. foreign assistance and removal practices. It would also require the executive branch to compile and transmit information on South Sudan’s human rights record, the treatment of third-country nationals sent there, and any related U.S. security assistance or diplomatic arrangements.

Sentiment

The available context shows no recorded committee debate or votes, so there is no documented partisan or procedural opposition in the provided materials. The resolution’s structure and subject matter suggest an oversight-oriented, human rights-focused posture, with the Senate seeking more information before or alongside any further policy action. Overall, the bill appears to be framed as a monitoring and accountability measure rather than a controversial substantive policy change.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the resolution’s focus on U.S. removals of non-citizens to South Sudan and whether the South Sudanese government can safely and lawfully receive them. The resolution specifically raises concerns about torture, detention, forced disappearance, and possible onward transfer, and asks whether U.S. security assistance could be implicated in abusive practices. Another likely point of sensitivity is the request for information on any agreements, financial transactions, and diplomatic assurances between the United States and South Sudan, which could draw scrutiny over executive branch immigration and foreign policy decisions.