Story perspectives

U.S. Bars Somali FIFA Referee at Miami Airport.

6/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Customs and Border Protection turned back Somali referee Omar Artan at Miami International Airport, citing vetting concerns.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Artan failed the routine inspection and was deemed inadmissible under U.S. law.
Although Artan had a diplomatic passport, Somalia stays on the United States travel-ban list created under President Donald Trump.
FIFA said it has no role in visa decisions and Artan’s referee status will not change.

History

Historical Context

President Donald Trump’s Jan 27 2017 Executive Order 13769 barred Somali citizens and five other majority-Muslim nations, a restriction narrowed by EO 13780 on Mar 6 2017 and later upheld by the Supreme Court. CBP turned away more than 1,000 travelers in the ban’s first month; in Mar 2024 it denied Somali FIFA referee Omar Artan, showing the policy’s lingering impact.

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Story summary

Customs and Border Protection turned back Somali referee Omar Artan at Miami International Airport, citing vetting concerns.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Artan failed the routine inspection and was deemed inadmissible under U.S. law.
Although Artan had a diplomatic passport, Somalia stays on the United States travel-ban list created under President Donald Trump.
FIFA said it has no role in visa decisions and Artan’s referee status will not change.

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