About 39 South Sudanese who were deported from the United States arrived in the capital Juba last Friday, police said.

This is the latest batch of South Sudanese deported from the United States this year. 24 South Sudanese nationals were deported from the United States in March.

South Sudan police spokesman Daniel Justin Boula told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that the deported South Sudanese landed at the airport last week.

“There were deported for committing a number of crimes, including gender-based violence, rape and drug abuse,” he explained.

He further said the deported youth were received by police and immigration officials, pointing out that they were later allowed to proceed to their homes.

Over 60 South Sudanese have been deported from the United States this year, which reflects an increase in deportations.

According to US federal laws, foreign nationals are legally returned to their country of origin if they violate a number of immigration or criminal laws.