Slashdot Mirror
Afghan Girls Robotics Team Allowed To Enter U.S. For Competition (reuters.com)
An anonymous reader writes: A team of Afghan girls are on their way to compete in an academic robotics competition in the United States after American officials agreed to allow them to enter the country despite initially denying them visas. The reversal reportedly came at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.
Anyone know why they got rejected in the first place? That country isn't even on Trump's "list". TFA: "While officials did not comment on the reasons for initially denying the girls visas, the United States often denies visa requests from Afghans over fears that they will refuse to return home." Honestly, when it comes to the US wanting "the best and brightest" these girls are pretty high up on both lists. It would also seem, from TFA, that this allowance is probably from Ivanka appealing to Donald.
Don't welcome this - this is not a good development. In a functioning democracy there are appropriate channels to get permissions and make things happen. In a dictatorship lobbyists, diplomats and sycophants try to get the dictator's ear and his yes to get whatever they are seeking for. The US is turning this way. Companys already know that the way to get Donald's attention is to make Fox talk about it or be the last person in the room before he makes a decision. This is not going well. These Afghan girls should not have needed a presidential intervention to get in to the USA - it is a sign that the rule of law is falling apart.