In brief
French MP Pouria Amirshahi's visa denial prompts appeal to U.S. authorities as he aims to meet with progressive lawmakers and understand the political landscape under Trump.
French member of Parliament, Pouria Amirshahi, is challenging a recent U.S. visa denial that has thwarted his plans to travel to the United States this month. Amirshahi, a member of the Green party and part of a newly established collective known as La Digue, aimed to meet with progressive lawmakers, activists, and intellectuals to discuss life under Donald Trump's presidency. During a news conference held at the French National Assembly, Amirshahi expressed his disappointment after receiving notification on Tuesday that his visa application was rejected without explanation. He described the decision as “hostile and unfriendly,” highlighting his intent to engage with notable figures, including Senator Peter Welch from Vermont and Representative Maxine Dexter from Oregon.Amirshahi’s itinerary included visits to Washington D.C., New York, and Boston, and he emphasized the importance of the trip as both a personal and political mission. The collective he founded aims to combat the rise of neo-fascism within global liberal democracies. A spokesperson for his team reported that the U.S. embassy is now revisiting the reasoning behind the visa denial, leaving Amirshahi hopeful for a positive resolution.
