French Lawmaker Denied U.S. Entry, Seeks Visa Reversal

Amirshahi's visa rejection raises concerns about diplomatic relations and global political dialogue.

Pouria Amirshahi, a leftist member of the French National Assembly and cofounder of the Green party, is facing significant travel restrictions after being denied entry into the United States. He was seeking a visa to embark on a trip to Washington D.C., New York, and Boston, aimed at engaging with American lawmakers and intellectuals to gain insights into the socio-political atmosphere under President Trump's administration.

Amirshahi intended for this journey to serve as the inaugural outing for "La Digue," a coalition he initiated with other progressive and centrist French politicians to combat what they perceive as the rise of neo-fascist sentiments within modern democracies. Expressing his disappointment at a press conference held on Thursday at the French National Assembly, Amirshahi stated, "This abrupt visa refusal feels both hostile and unfriendly. Our aim was to foster dialogue about the impacts of Trump’s governance."

During this planned visit, Amirshahi had hoped to meet with notable progressive leaders such as Senator Peter Welch from Vermont and Representative Maxine Dexter from Oregon. However, his aspirations were thwarted when he received notification earlier this week that his visa application was denied.

In a follow-up discussion, a team member disclosed that the U.S. embassy was currently reviewing the rationale behind this unexpected refusal.