As predicted in an earlier HandsamSchoolTripsAdvisor article, the Trump travel ban is having repercussions on the ability of school trips to travel to the USA. Despite the suspension of the executive order, issued by the President in the early days of his leadership, individuals connected with one of the seven Muslim nations or even practicing the faith, are being removed from outbound planes and detained.
Juhel Miah 25 from south Wales was removed from a plane travelling from Reykjavik to New York City on the 16th February. Juhel is a British Muslim school teacher and was on the school trip of a lifetime with his class. On arrival at the airport he was subject to an in depth random security check which was clear. But when all set to depart security informed Juhel he was not able to travel. This is despite the US appeals court upholding the ban on the order which denied entrance to the US from seven majority Muslim nations and Mr Miah having a full, valid visa.
The trip went ahead, but the pupils from Llangatwg comprehensive in Aberdulais were distressed by the aggressive removal of their Maths teacher and his absence from the exciting trip. Mr Miah was left highly distressed by the embarrassment and show of the exit, describing how he was made to feel like a criminal.
He had to wait hours for a hotel which when secured was horrendously filthy. He described how his paranoia rose as he realised his bag had been tampered with and he had two days of sleeplessness and being unable to eat, afraid of what would happen to him. Mr Miah attempting to visit the US embassy in Reykjavik but was denied access. The school was eventually able to secure him a flight back to the UK.
Neath Port Talbot council who employ Mr Miah have written to the US embassy demanding an explanation for this “unjustified act of discrimination” and the issue is being championed by Welsh politicians. It is understood that the instruction for Mr Miah to be denied access to the US came straight from New York. No satisfactory explanation has been forthcoming.
Find out about travel terms and political considerations for different nations using our country specific guides. Find out more about US entry terms here, including new biometric passport requirements.
