Miss Universe Contestants From Africa Struggle To Obtain American Travel Visas

Travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration are forcing Miss Universe contestants from some African nations to withdraw from this month’s pageant in Puerto Rico in the latest blow to the troubled showcase.Contestants from Zambia and the Republic of Congo have already withdrawn after being unable to obtain travel visas, and representatives from South Sudan and Zimbabwe say their participation remains in limbo over visa delays.President Trump owned the Miss Universe Organization from 1996 until September 2015 but no longer has any involvement with the pageant. Mr. Trump imposed sweeping travel restrictions on many African countries after returning to the White House to “protect the security of the United States.”Presidential Proclamation 10998 took effect on January 1. In response, the Department of State fully suspended visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries — Afghanistan, Burma, Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen — and to individuals traveling on any travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. There were limited exceptions for certain diplomatic and official visas and for participants in certain major sporting events such as the World Cup. The Miss Universe pageant was not given an exception.The Miss Universe Zambia organization issued a critical statement after its representative, Mubanga Pamela Hatyoka, was forced to withdraw from the pageant. “She earned her crown, she earned her title, and she deserves the opportunity to represent the nation she proudly serves,” the group said.“Unfortunately, American visa challenges have delayed that journey, but the fight is not over,” Zimbabwe’s contestant, Roseanna Hall, said on Instagram. “After months of preparation, I am not giving up. I remain confident that God who began a good work in me will bring it to completion.”South Sudan’s pageant organization commented on Ms. Hall’s post, saying, “We’re in the same situation. It’s 50/50 whether we’ll make it to Miss Universe.” The country’s contestant, Adut Deng, has been trying to secure the necessary travel documentation and approvals for several months. “Despite these continued efforts, her travel situation remains unresolved, and we are awaiting further communication and a final determination,” pageant officials said in an update on Instagram.The year’s Miss Universe pageant faces other issues. It was expected to feature around 120 contestants but it appears that the number will be considerably smaller. Contestants from six Asian countries have been banned from taking part in this year’s pageant because of a dispute over who owns the regional franchises.The Bulgarian contestant withdrew from the pageant after she was injured in a car crash. Austria’s contestant, Victoria Amerson, announced on Instagram that she was withdrawing from the event after falling down some stairs. “I must remain true to myself and my own values and protect mental and physical health,” Ms. Amerson said.The Miss Universe pageant has had issues for years. Last year’s event was shrouded in controversy after a judge quit days before the final, claiming the event was rigged. Another judge quit hours later but didn’t mention any possible scandal. A contestant who staged a walkout at a pre-pageant event after being publicly berated by an official, Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, was crowned Miss Universe — leading some to question whether the award was a “make-good” move.Miss Jamaica needed to be hospitalized after falling offstage during a preliminary evening gown round at last year’s event. Gabrielle Henry, in September, filed a lawsuit against the Miss Universe Organization claiming negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.A three-part documentary examining years of allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, and competition rigging at the contest debuted Thursday on TLC and HBO Max. It features former contestants talking about alleged turmoil and corruption inside the organization.The Miss Universe 2026 preliminary rehearsals and events are set to begin next week with representatives scheduled to arrive by Sunday. The final is scheduled to take place on November 24 inside the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum at San Juan. This year marks the 75th edition of the pageant.

Miss Universe Contestants From Africa Struggle To Obtain American Travel Visas

Miss Universe Contestants From Africa Struggle To Obtain American Travel Visas

More from the New York Sun

Hegseth’s Revival of OSS Moniker Evokes Memories of ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan

Doctors Without Borders Admit That Gaza Terrorists Dominate Local Hospitals

Justice Alito Sounds Alarm Over Democrats’ Power To Cripple Supreme Court Through Its Purse Strings

Ousted CEO Huang Faces Intense Questioning and Possible Legal Jeopardy Over Transfer of Nvidia’s AI Secrets to China

‘Unleashed’ Homeland Security Reports Record Arrests and Deportations in Months Before Midterm Elections

U.S. Soccer Must Start Over After Pochettino’s Unexpected Exit for Manchester United

Far-Left Parties Pressure European Union To End Trade Agreement With Israel

Trump’s Opportunity at the UN

More from the New York Sun

Hegseth’s Revival of OSS Moniker Evokes Memories of ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan

Doctors Without Borders Admit That Gaza Terrorists Dominate Local Hospitals

Justice Alito Sounds Alarm Over Democrats’ Power To Cripple Supreme Court Through Its Purse Strings

Ousted CEO Huang Faces Intense Questioning and Possible Legal Jeopardy Over Transfer of Nvidia’s AI Secrets to China

‘Unleashed’ Homeland Security Reports Record Arrests and Deportations in Months Before Midterm Elections

U.S. Soccer Must Start Over After Pochettino’s Unexpected Exit for Manchester United

Far-Left Parties Pressure European Union To End Trade Agreement With Israel

Trump’s Opportunity at the UN