So far, the U.S. State Department has not commented on when the enforcement will begin or whether it considered the ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, a nation still grappling with instability after a brutal civil war.

The Associated Press reports that South Sudanese nationals had previously been granted Temporary Protected Status due to ongoing violence, but this protection is set to expire on May 3. The region remains volatile, with fears of renewed conflict following recent political unrest.

The case of Khaman Maluach underscores the vulnerability of international student-athletes in the face of sweeping policy shifts. While his talent has placed him on the radar of NBA scouts, his ability to remain in the country—and pursue his professional dream—now depends on how this policy unfolds in the weeks ahead.