‘Victim of Trumpism’: Australian MP refused entry to US
Eideh was born in Lebanon and holds joint citizenship of Australia and Syria
Published July 29, 2017
An MP from Australian state of Victoria, Khalil Eideh, was recently blocked from entering the United States while on an overseas study tour, in yet another incident of “Trumpism”, as declared by an outraged Australian senator.
Eideh, who was born in Lebanon and whose family is Syrian, was part of a group of MPs studying the effectiveness of drug laws and regulations in Europe and North America.
But he was left “exhausted, very, very disappointed [and] frustrated” when authorities blocked him from entering the US, just as he was about to fly from Vancouver, Canada to Denver, Colorado.
“[They gave me] no explanation whatsoever, at first they couldn't find my name. When I gave them my itinerary they said 'ah yes, unfortunately it's blocked and we can't take you on the plane',” he was quoted as saying by Australian media.
The MP holds joint citizenship of Australia and Syria – the latter being on the list of countries targeted by US President Donald Trump's travel restrictions.
“One of the ministers was saying it could be because of the Trump decision … Syria is included in these countries. I'm not sure if that's the reason,” he said.
Federal Labor senator Kim Carr said Eideh had been the "victim of Trumpism".
Expressing his outrage at why an “ally like Australia, a great military partner like Australia” could be treated this way, the senator said, “There is absolutely an extraordinary circumstance where we have no explanation for this behaviour.”
A US Customs and Border Protection official said having a valid visa did not guarantee entry into the US.
“A visa allows a traveller to knock at the door — travel to a port of entry, airport or land border crossing and request permission to US Customs and Border Protection,” he said.
“All travellers must clear admissibility laws,” he said, adding that only a small number out of the more than 1.2 million people who came to the US each day were denied entry.
