Apparently all that lobbying money and fundraiser donations to political candidates isn’t doing much to help Walt Disney World. The US Embassy denied a travel visa to a 9-year old boy in Britain whose grand parents wanted to take him on a surprise trip to Walt Disney World. While the boy was born in England, his parents were born in South Africa. Apparently that makes him too dangerous to allow him to visit the United States.
That sounds like exactly the sort of publicity that will discourage international visitors from even applying for a travel visa to Orlando, let alone booking a vacation at Walt Disney World. The grandparents plan to appeal to President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I think Disney should put in a few calls too and put some of that political influence to work. A happy ending to this story would be as good as a million dollar worth of ads in the UK.
More at the UK Telegraph.
Maybe his parents are on the no fly list. Which might put him on it also. But its dangerous running a blog and taking such a position on Immigration. He is not a citizen of the United States and as far as I know we do not have to let anyone in the country if we chose not too. Immigration is a touchy subject and should be left for the news media.
I’m so sorry but I have to agree with Tom above. Visas for SA are very difficult to get. I don’t know why this one story would hurt tourism, as most international travelers are well aware of the limitations. I think that about the last thing Disney needs to do is get involved with US immigration policy.
I’m sorry, but i totally disagree with you Georgia and Tom. This is pure immigration dept insanity and anyone thinking that a nine years old boy can be dangerous for US security is just as insane as the guys of the immigration dept. It’s a pure kafkaian situation and i think it has totally its place in a Disney fan blog to talk and let us know about this shameful decision.
The worst is when i read something like “…But its dangerous running a blog and taking such a position on Immigration”. Are you crazy or the “system” had already transformed you in a coward who don’t resist to their insanity?!?
This is internet! Internet must remain a space of free speech and John was absolutely right to write this post!
Immigration? They just wanted to take the kid to Disney World, not make him a U.S. Resident. “Micah was born in Britain and has lived in Middlesex all his life with his mum Claudia Lewis.” He’s a Brit. It’s his grandparents who are SA. The grandmother is right…it’s crazy. Looks like someone took a look at the SA passport and had a knee jerk reaction and now this kid can’t have his Disney adventure. What a shame. I hope they keep pressing it. That kid deserved better then this.
Comments are closed.