Dual-citizen Australian schoolboy denied entry to US for space camp

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Australian Associated Press


Pouya Ghadirian, 15, says he is gutted after he was declined a visa for school trip as government works to gain ‘blanket exemption’ for Australians
Australian Associated Press
Monday 30 January 2017 17.07 EST



A Melbourne schoolboy denied entry into America under Donald Trump’s travel ban is hopeful Australia will be able to work out a deal so he can still go to space camp.

Dual Australian-Iranian citizen Pouya Ghadirian, 15, says he has been in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and said there was some hope and the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has now said Australian dual nationals will not be affected by the US travel ban.

“I hope the government does help to do what it can to uphold my rights as an Australian citizen,” the Melbourne high school student told reporters on Monday night. “To not be able to go to the United States devalues my passport and my rights as an Australian citizen.

. . .

Pouya believes he might be the first Australian declined entry into America as part of Trump’s controversial ban on those from some Muslim-majority countries. He is “gutted” at the prospect that, after being knocked back for a US tourist visa, he will miss out on his dreams to go to “space camp” in Alabama in March.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jan/31/dual-citizen-australian-schoolboy-denied-entry-to-us-for-space-camp

[C_U_L8R]

1. Thanks Trump

What a dick.

[LisaM]

2. My SO's cousin is German and she married an Iranian. They live in Munich.

Her kids (now grown) have dual German-Iranian citizenship. Their father is Iranian, but fled to Germany to escape the Ayatollah. Like many, his story is harrowing, he would have been captured and probably killed if a school friend hadn't gotten him on a plane to Germany at the last minute. One of his daughters has a degree in fashion; another is studying to be a psychiatrist. They came out here for an extended visit two summers ago. Now I wonder if I'll ever see them again?

[geek tragedy]

3. on the other hand, he won't be a Muslim living in Alabama, where the good

old boys aren't exactly fans of people of Iranian descent.

[iluvtennis]

4. Such Bullshit. And adversely affecting the lives of innocent kids nt

[Swagman]

5. this is the kid who said

the lady at the Consulate cried when she had to tell him his visa was revoked.

[orangecrush]

6. ...

[NotThisTime]

7. As an update, the boy has been granted an exception, I don't know if it's all Australian's, sounds

like it from what I read.