Somali referee denied U.S. entry after 11-hour questioning

Omar Artan, a 34-year-old football referee from Somalia, had his dream of officiating at the World Cup shattered when U.S. border officials denied him entry into the country. Artan, who was set to become the first referee from his nation to officiate a World Cup match, arrived in the United States with a valid visa and all required documentation.

Upon arrival, Artan was subjected to an intensive 11-hour interrogation. Officials questioned him about his travels, his potential connections to the militant group Al-Shabab, and the political landscape of Somalia. Despite presenting all his paperwork, he was ultimately refused entry and sent back to Istanbul, Turkey, from where he had departed.

"I am very, very disappointed. I am just a referee trying to achieve my biggest dream, to go to the World Cup," Artan told The New York Times upon his arrival in Turkey. He expressed his belief that his country of origin was the basis for the U.S. decision. While no official reason for the denial was provided, a U.S. official unofficially cited Artan's "connections to suspected members of terrorist organizations." Earlier, White House Working Group executive director Andrew Giuliani stated that Artan was denied entry "for a very good reason."

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I am very, very disappointed. I am just a referee trying to achieve my biggest dream, to go to the World Cup. I had all the necessary documents and a valid visa. I think they have a problem with my country.