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Former Manchester United star and Trinidad and Tobago World Cup 2006 captain Dwight Yorke was not turned back from Florida nor was he denied access to the United States due to President Donald Trump’s controversial “travel ban”, which was already stayed by the US courts.
Instead, according to Trinidad and Tobago Government sources, Yorke was allegedly denied the opportunity to fly through Miami—in transit—due to a visa issue. The US Embassy subsequently released a statement.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
The 45 year old Yorke, who is his country’s most celebrated footballer, was attempting to leave Qatar for Trinidad via Miami. He never dealt with US Immigration directly at all and, according to sources, was not allowed to board a flight to Miami since he “did not have the appropriate visa.”
Yorke told the UK Sun newspaper that he felt “like a criminal.”
“I couldn’t quite believe what was happening,” Yorke told the Sun. “I have lost count of the number of times I have been to America, I love the country, yet I was being made to feel like a criminal.
“I had bought my ticket and checked in and was about to get on the flight when I was stopped by two officials.
“I thought ‘what is happening here?’ They told me there was a visa problem and a red flag had come up against my name because of an Iranian stamp in my passport.”
Yorke subsequently re-booked his flight to Trinidad using another transit point.
Yorke’s travel woes became international news after his media colleague and former Sky Sports presenter, Richard Keys, tweeted: “Well done @realDonaldTrump. Man U ambassador Dwight Yorke denied transit access to Miami cause he has Iranian stamp in passport. #crazy.”
(Copyright Gawker)
However, there is no evidence to suggest that Yorke’s problems were related to Trump’s controversial and short-lived travel suspension.
Keys and Yorke both work for beIN Sports. Yorke, according to Britain’s Mirror newspaper, played in a charity match in Tehran, two years ago, alongside former Brazil World Cup winner Roberto Carlos and Portugal legend Luis Figo. Money from that exhibition game, which featured members of the Iranian national team, was donated to sufferers of multiple sclerosis.
On 27 January 2017, Trump signed an executive order that placed a 90-day visa suspension on travellers from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The order exempted certain visa categories from the ban as well as person’s fleeing “religious persecution” from the predominantly Muslim nations.
Trump’s executive order was subsequently thrown out by the US courts, although he has vowed to craft a new one by next week.
Editor’s Note: Click HERE for the US Embassy statement.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/18/dwight-yorke-denied-entry-us-iranian-stamp-passport/
As usual fake news smh. Tx u Mr. Lasana. These days u have to use discernment before running with what is posted
I didn’t read all the comments below, but just to clear up the confusion his denial has nothing to do with the recent travel ban. Providing Yorke is the holder of a Passport under the Visa Waiver Program he can enter the US without a US visa. However, after March 1, 2011, an ammendment was made requiring that anyone visiting Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen are barred from entering the US if their passport is one of those listed under the Visa Waiver Program. To this end, they would be required to be the holder of a US visitor Visa (B1/2) if they were to enter the US.
Yorke was just ignorant to the fact. It’s funny how people are quick to make themselves a victim.
ref:
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/visa-waiver-program-improvement-and-terrorist-travel-prevention-act-faq
You live and you learn. I guess he was using his British passport then.
Yep
That restriction Obama put in place was actually a smart idea. So many people in Trump’s camp were arguing that the “travel ban” was targeting the same countries that Obama selected. But all Obama did was take away the privilege of going there without a visa so now you have to apply like the rest of the plebs once you’ve visited one of those countries. Yorke should have been up to speed on this new requirement.
http://wired868.com/2017/02/18/us-embassy-yorke-stopped-from-entering-usa-by-visa-requirement-that-pre-dates-trump/
Keston K. Perry https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/18/dwight-yorke-felt-like-criminal-denied-entry-usa?CMP=share_btn_fb
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/appeals-court-deliver-ruling-trump-executive-order/story?id=45386342&cid=share_facebook_widget
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/18/dwight-yorke-felt-like-criminal-denied-entry-usa
The main thrust of the article aside, it’s important to note that the travel ban has neither been “overturned’ or “thrown out.”
If there is a ‘stay’ doesn’t that mean it’s not to be implemented?
Yes, but that’s a far cry from being “thrown out” or “overturned.” Judge Robart granted the stay until he could rule on the substantive issues raised by the Order. Once he issued the stay the Trump administration appealed the ‘stay’ itself. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the appeal, leaving the stay in place. The ball is now back in Judge Robart’s court (literally) for him to continue addressing the Constitutionality of the Executive Order.
This article left me confused a bit. Either way his denial was as a result of the travel ban policy, whether directly or indirectly
Makes no sense. If he was getting a connector what visa do you get?
You need a visa even if you are in transit. In his case he probably uses his UK passport which doesn’t require a visa but you need a different form of travel authorization.
Gotcha
Thanks for clearing this up as it made no sense from the beginning.
I thought I was slow!
Just like in Trini always blaming Rowley for kamla mistakes
Dual citizenship?
But If Dwight York has a British Passport, he does not need a visa for the US
But that isn’t new news Nerisha
The visa info?
Yup
Don’t we all know T&T nationals need a US visa to travel to the US
Ihu. Sometimes we may take things for granted or not pay attn to it?
What does this have to do with Yorke though?
Yup, but I guess the issues for him was-having a British passport, and the travel to Iran. Maybe ppl need to contact the Embassies before they travel to avoid such situations if you are not clear?
I believe the Iranian stamp is the key here although people are playing it down. If the holders of British passports aren’t required to have a visa to travel through the US then why was he refused?
Ye it’s all
About the Iranian stamp – re British passport even English distance Olympic champion Mo Farah who still has his dual citizenship from Somalia has been saying he too is worried about travelling back to USA where he trains & lives due to his Somalia links – considering that country is on the list of 7
Thanks Colin Benjamin…that was what I was wondering, if he has dual citizenship. Cause in some cases, having a passport from the country doesn’t mean your immigration status is normalized/complete.
If you have a British Passport you do not need a us visa
Well he was traveling with one and got turned back. It’s either that or the Iranian stamp
Once again fake news. Sad!
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2892586/man-united-legend-dwight-yorke-says-he-was-left-stunned-after-being-stopped-in-transit-at-miami-airport/
Here’s the problem with that Alina. He never saw or dealt with US Immigration. It was Qatari airport officials who advised him not to get on plane because they felt he would be turned back.
There is no travel ban. Yorke himself said there was a visa problem they pointed to.
So it was either simply a visa issue or a case of the Qatari officials being overly exuberant or cautious. But it is not down to travel ban, was not the work of US Immigration and isn’t directly to do with Trump although his policies might have put everyone on edge.
Lasana Liburd as far as I know the travel ban was removed, but why the ‘red flag’? The article was also unclear.
Very unclear. Because Yorke said he had already checked in and he shouldn’t have been able to do that if there was a visa problem.
It might very well be that the Qatari officials erred.
There was obviously no visa problem
What is “a visa issue “. The information is vague.
In 2016 changes to the Visa Waiver Program were made. Citizens from the countries that qualify for the waiver program would have to obtain a visa to enter the US if they travelled to a particular set of countries within the last 5 years. Iran was one of the countries listed. So if Yorke travelled to Iran recently then that was probably the reason for the visa issue.
Dwightie said he felt like a criminal: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2892586/man-united-legend-dwight-yorke-says-he-was-left-stunned-after-being-stopped-in-transit-at-miami-airport/
More egg on face in this incident, because this sends a bad signal for business, trade, sports, diplomacy. Hope the British also step in since he has a British passport. The sad thing is, this is one of many stories of innocent ppl caught up in such a ban that may end up stretching resources thin. Hope it really does help weed out bad apples. And what I cannot understand, if the ban was overturned in Court, why he was not allowed to travel because the story only points to that travel as the hindrance.
Nerisha, he was not stopped by US Immigration officials. The story just takes one and one and gets four.
Ihu. But, for e.g., in Tnt, when you are departing for the U.S., if your travel documents are not in order-valid visa, passport etc, the staff of the airline has a responsibility not to allow you to travel, as the airline faces a fine. If they were going on advice-not policy-that persons from banned countries would not be able to enter…We need to get the full, official story because it seems nobody has been able to yet.
All we know is there is a visa issue. From what I understand, Yorke didn’t have the appropriate visa. And he doesn’t seem to be clear himself. And he ought to be.
He should have used his diplomatic passport
Wouldn’t have mattered. He would still need appropriate visa.
Oh ???
Remember it is the Qatari officials and not US Immigration who told Dwight not to get on the flight.
Big footballer like York don’t know he have to get visa to fly through America who the f..k is his agent …
‘I FELT LIKE A CRIMINAL’ says Man United legend Dwight Yorke
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2892586/man-united-legend-dwight-yorke-says-he-was-left-stunned-after-being-stopped-in-transit-at-miami-airport/
The plot thickens
““I thought ‘what is happening here?’. They told me there was a visa problem and a red flag had come up against my name because of an Iranian stamp in my passport.”
Well well
Doesn’t change anything. Visa issue. Not travel ban. They asked about Iran stamp. But Dwight himself seems not to know why he wasn’t allowed on flight.
If being blanked by an airline made him feel like a criminal, then Dwight had a truly blessed life. ?
There has been some news here of Canadians, born in either Iran or those 7 listened countries who were denied entry to USA because of being born there/having dual citizenship etc – problematic issue
Well, truth is the US Immigration does have a certain amount of discretion in terms of who gets in. And I’m sure there will be people with their own prejudices. But that’s separate and apart from the “travel ban”. So that one can’t really be blamed on The Donald. Lol.
The Donald coming with his own nonsense by next week.
So the original story isn’t exactly false
Ye thats the mistake the reports said – cause the ban is no longer in effect.
What seems to be happening is sort of replay of the post 9/11 situation where ICE officers individually could be doing there own thing/making own judgements on people – in this crazy and tense period if any person from those listened countries/visited those countries turns up at Border/airport
The Express story is absolutely false because it said he was turned back in Florida due to US travel ban.
Both were wrong.
Now the initial story linked it to Trump. Truth is it was Qatari officials who advised him not to get on plane and not US Immigration officers.
So I will have to read over to see exactly how the newspapers dealt with that. Because it wasn’t the US who turned him around.
Mel Lissa, the UK story is wrong too. This was opening paragraph:
“Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke was “denied entry into the US” under Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban after playing in a charity match in Iran.”
That is false.
I’m going on what they quoted him saying Lasana which is what our local news posted
Yes it speaks of visa issues but it is alleged that he did mention the Iranian stamp
We know two things for sure Mel Lissa: Dwight Yorke never met US Immigration and he was not stopped under the Donald Trump travel ban.
Even Yorke did not say that. This was implied. Whatever issue found with the Iranian stamp was a matter that concerned Qatari officials.
And the fact that US Immigration was not involved and the overturned Trump ban was not singled out makes the initial stories false.
Birdman on point !
See this is why the media deserves some of the bashing it gets.
Lasana SportsMax is still reporting that it’s because of the Iranian stamp
Mel, take good note of the quality of the news organizations that are carrying that report eh. 😉
It is possible that they are reporting on the tweet still because it is “sexy.”
For some news agencies, where is a choice between the sensational and the sensible, they will go with sensational every time.
lololol
Sad. These are the people we rely on to keep us informed.
As I posted in that Loop TT thread… The Mirror, Metro and The S*n.
still something doesnt make sense ….he has British passport so there should b no visa issues
Except British uses a special visa and if it isn’t up to date seem headache he getting
yeah I have one and you get an esta visa and if you arrive without one they just make you get it at your arrival airport
He wasn’t stopped by US Immigration. It was Qatari airport officials. Yorke said visa issue and so did they. Maybe they interpreted a problem and very being overly cautious.
Whatever happened, it was not a decision by US Immigration.
Ok cool and they are overly cautious because of the ban !
ESTA is not a Visa. Its something that is used to prove that you don’t require one when entering the US, and it has to be renewed (usually online) every two years…
Yeah I arrived in USA with no ESTA (mine expired and I had not realised) and they just said do it now …..no issues
..and he has a diplomatic TT passport.. which is why I don’t think he dealt with immigration but an airline or airport employee who overstepped the job description
We’re actually not sure if he still has diplomatic passport. Maybe.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/18/dwight-yorke-felt-like-criminal-denied-entry-usa
Sheeeeeeeeit! I’m going back to getting my news the old fashioned way. From Tanty Merle and the “Gyah-zette”
You all are so ready to pick up Bad News. Tell dem York whey you living they have a long drive way and you work hard for your money. Let then leave you alone. Travel my brother and do your job. Leave small island pride alone.
Alternate Facts
Fake News.
See why I does wait for the dust to settle before I believe ANYTHING these days?? Can some one please tell me where they got the info that he was denied entry because of an Iranian visa in his passport or some stupidness like that??
Additionally they made it seem as if he was turned away at US Customs?? Steups. Nothing to see here.
The papers that carried story based entire thing on a tweet. They didn’t so much as even call Richard Keys for more info, let alone any immigration office.
As for being turned away in Florida, seems like the Express author and editor speed-read the UK story and got that bit farcically wrong.
US Embassy: Ex-T&T and Manchester United star Dwight Yorke stopped from entering USA by 15 month old visa requirement created by former President Barack Obama and NOT incumbent Donald Trump
http://wired868.com/2017/02/18/us-embassy-yorke-stopped-from-entering-usa-by-visa-requirement-that-pre-dates-trump/
Lasana Liburd So basically if Dwight had tried to take the same trip last year for carnival — speculatively? — the same thing would have happened?
Are we ever going to know what happened?
Yorke has a British passport since 1999 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/05/99/uniteds_euro_showdown/346253.stm) and the UK is eligible for the ESTA (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/) visa waiver program that has been in effect since 2009 (http://www.esta.us/visa_waiver_countries.html).
I would be surprise if Yorke has not flown into the USA since that time and had to apply for the program via online. We may never know but all the horror stories being reported by US Immigration Officers going rogue even though the travel ban is suspended as it’s before US Court System warrants our suspicion.
Uncle Jack say he have something very important and if you can carry it in your luggage please .What time can he dropit off ? LOL !!
hmmm
Several other news media carried it as well.
I’m sure. Loop T&T adjusted their story now.
Lasana Faris coming for them with they fake news
Hahaha
But I don’t understand…how could there be a VISA issue? Doesn’t Yorke have a British Passport?
Even with a British passport you have to apply for ESTA when traveling to the US. Perhaps there was an issue with his application? Maybe his ESTA had expired (its valid for two years) and he forgot to renew it? Maybe he had a first generation biometric British passport which the US no longer accepts? Or maybe he used his Trinidadian passport and there was an issue with that? It could be anything…
He was travelling to Trinidad, Taharka, so he might have booked his trip using his T&T passport. Chris is spot on anyway.
Nonsense you don’t book a flight using your passport
Trinidad Express headline: “Claims that Dwight Yorke ‘DENIED” access to US… turned away in Florida”
Opening paragraph: “DWIGHT YORKE was denied entry into United States on Friday due to the travel ban imposed by US President Donald Trump.”
All based on a tweet from a football commentator… Well yes. Like Earl Mango Pierre would say: Them really good yes!
The established news outlets in t&t continue to errode whatever credibility they have left. #fakenews #alternativefacts
Smh. Just sloppy. It was a damn tweet from a non immigration person. Surely you’ve got to check that out before blaming Trump.
And they ought to know travel ban was overturned. So nobody felt this needed some due diligence?
What is due diligence when the prime objective is to be first to print and not necessarily most accurate.
A Republican buddy posted this on my page in response to my rant. It may very well be the issue… then again we don’t know when Dwight went to Iran but if it was after 2011 this could be the issue.
He went to Tehran in 2015.
Yeah well there you go… Perhaps he didn’t realize he needed a Visa because of the law passed in 2016
Might well be Brent. But the US has made some visa changes even before Trump executive order.
I went for my usual tourist visa and got a journalist visa instead. Not sure how that might affect my travel according to why I am heading there.
They might be stricter on certain things now.
Thank you Lasana. I knew the initial story sounded incomplete
Sure thing
This may be the issue https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/community/blog/post/visiting-the-united-states-with-an-iran-iraq-syria-or-sudan-stamp-in-your-passport
But what if you already had a visa though? Didn’t seem clear.
My info is Dwight had inappropriate visa.
I went and read up on it. It depends. If he had a British passport as some suggest, then he would be exempt from the Visa Waiver Program and be required to get a Visa. If he is using his trini passport then he would already have a Visa and therein lies the confusion
He was travelling from Qatar. Not sure what passport he booked flight with. Maybe he used T&T passport as he was coming home.
Guys, direct from the FCO website.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/presidential-executive-order-on-inbound-migration-to-us
Excerpt from that page:
Update (01/02/17)
Since issuing this advice we have received further confirmation from the US government that British passport holders (regardless of country of birth or whether they hold another passport/nationality) are not affected by the executive order.
Read the FCO’s travel advice for the USA for the latest information on entry requirements for the USA including temporary immigration measures.
If you’re a non-British passport holder and are unsure whether you’re affected by these new measures, you should contact the nearest US embassy or consulate for advice.
Thanks Sav. You should be appointed Express editor! Lol
Las, you mean Wired Editor? 😉
Hahaha. That too! Only we didn’t base an entire story on a tweet from a football commentator.
I saw that story this morning on the British rags, when I went to the BBC website, there was nothing, so I put it down to fear mongering…usual thing going on nah