U.S. Visa Bans Block African Miss Universe Contestants
U.S. travel restrictions under the Trump administration have forced several African Miss Universe contestants to withdraw from the competition in Puerto Rico.
Several African contestants for the 75th Miss Universe pageant are unable to attend the competition in San Juan, Puerto Rico, due to visa restrictions imposed by the Government of the United States. The restrictions, linked to Presidential Proclamation 10998 and other travel bans, affect 36 countries, 29 of which are in Africa. These policies suspend various visitor and immigrant visa categories for affected nationals.
Mubanga Pamela Hatyoka of Zambia and Georgina Kambongo of the Republic of Congo have already withdrawn from the event after failing to secure travel documents. Georgina Kambongo's withdrawal follows a full suspension of entry for nationals of the Republic of Congo.
Other representatives remain in limbo as the November 24 final at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum approaches. Roseanna Hall of Zimbabwe and Adut Deng of South Sudan continue to seek visas. Hall stated that she was officially supposed to leave for Puerto Rico on November 13, noting that she is not alone in this predicament as other African sisters face the same challenges.
