World Cup travelers face U.S. visa denials and airport stops
Players, staff, a referee and fans have faced U.S. entry problems during the World Cup, according to reports cited by The Verge.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
3 min read
Several World Cup travelers, including players, team staff, a referee and fans, have run into U.S. visa denials, revoked travel permissions or airport detention, according to reports cited by The Verge. The cases have put the Trump administration’s immigration policies under scrutiny during a tournament that requires large numbers of international visitors to enter the United States.
The Verge reported that people seeking to attend or take part in the event from Africa, Asia and the Middle East have been affected by U.S. immigration decisions. The outlet said the administration has defended its approach by saying travel to the United States is a privilege rather than a right, and has portrayed some people denied entry as possible security risks.
Players and team personnel affected
Swiss forward Breel Embolo was barred from boarding his team’s flight to the United States because of a 2018 criminal conviction, ESPN reported, according to The Verge. Embolo then had to seek an emergency visa, The Verge reported.
Iran’s national team also changed plans after U.S. visa problems, CBS News reported. According to The Verge’s account of the CBS report, the team shifted its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, after the State Department denied visas to several players following a U.S. attack on Iran.
Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was stopped at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport by Customs and Border Protection agents, Reuters reported, according to The Verge. Hussein was questioned for seven hours and his phone was searched, the report said.
The Verge also reported that an Iraqi team photographer was detained and refused entry to the United States. The outlet did not include further details in the available account.
Referee and fan cases
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who would have been the first Somali referee in World Cup history, was denied entry by CBP despite having already received a visa, The New York Times reported, according to The Verge. CBP cited “vetting concerns” in Artan’s case, The Verge reported.
Fans have faced problems as well. The BBC reported that a Scottish traveler had his U.S. travel authorization canceled about an hour before departure, according to The Verge.
The Verge framed the cases as evidence that U.S. immigration enforcement is shaping who can participate in and attend the World Cup. Its report said the problems have occurred despite assurances that travel for the tournament would run smoothly.
The available reports do not give a full count of affected travelers. They show a range of immigration actions, from visa denials before departure to detention and questioning at a U.S. airport after arrival.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.