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US confirms it denied entry to Somali referee set to take part in World Cup
TL;DR
The US denied entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, citing vetting concerns. This incident raises questions about the impact of travel restrictions on the tournament.
Key points
- US denied entry to Somali referee Omar Artan
- Artan was set to participate in the FIFA World Cup
- Denial was due to vetting concerns
- Somalia is on President Trump's travel ban list
- Artan had a valid visa prior to travel
Mentioned in this story
Omar ArtanDepartment of Homeland Security
FIFA World CupSomalia
The United States has denied entry to a top Somali referee who was set to participate in the FIFA World Cup, raising concerns about Washington’s travel restrictions and their impact on the tournament.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Al Jazeera on Monday that Omar Artan was not allowed into the country after arriving in South Florida on Saturday.
Artan, who is listed as one of FIFA’s 52 World Cup referees, was “determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry”, a DHS spokesperson said in an email, without providing further details.
Artan’s arrival in the US, however, suggests that he had a valid visa prior to travel.
Somalia is on President Donald Trump’s travel ban list. The president has often disparaged the African country and its people. Late last year, he sparked outrage when he called Somali immigrants in the US “garbage”.
Artan, one of Africa’s top referees, was set to become the first Somali to officiate a World Cup match.
The denial of entry is the latest controversy surrounding US travel policies and the World Cup, which is being cohosted by Mexico and Canada.
Iran’s national team has to stay in Mexico due to visa issues. The players will be allowed to arrive in the US to play their game, but they must then return to their base south of the border. Still, some of the team’s staff members were denied US visas altogether.
There is also growing concern about federal agents harassing foreign nationals or targeting undocumented immigrants in or around stadiums.
On Monday, Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York, rebuked the Trump administration’s plans for a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the city during the tournament.
His city is set to host fans for several matches, including the final, which will take place in nearby New Jersey.
“Soccer would not exist without immigrants. Immigrants play and coach the game, work in the stadiums, fill the stands, and make celebrations like the World Cup possible. Six of the players on the US Men’s National Team are immigrants,” Mamdani wrote in a social media post.
“We will not allow ICE or anyone else to sow fear in our communities — especially at this moment. As the world comes to our city, we will stand proudly with our immigrant neighbors and reject these attacks for what they are: an attempt to divide us.”
On Monday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) decried the travel bans after Artan was denied entry.
Q&A
Why was Somali referee Omar Artan denied entry to the US?
Omar Artan was denied entry due to being deemed inadmissible based on vetting concerns, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
What are the implications of the US travel ban for Somali nationals?
The travel ban raises concerns about the ability of Somali nationals to participate in international events like the FIFA World Cup.
Did Omar Artan have a valid visa before traveling to the US?
Yes, Omar Artan's arrival in the US indicates that he had a valid visa prior to his travel.
How does this incident affect the FIFA World Cup?
This incident highlights potential security and travel issues that could impact the participation of officials and players in the FIFA World Cup.
