NEW YORK—It was supposed to be a day of victory. They were confident they would beat the host team in their first game at the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England, on Thursday. But instead, the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team found themselves stuck in New York City because the British Consulate refused to issue them entry visas.
The team members belong to the Iroquois Confederacy, or Haudenosaunee, and live straddling the border of US and Canada. They hold passports issued by the Iroquois Confederacy—not from American or Canadian authorities. The British Consulate is refusing to accept the passports as valid travel documents and told the athletes that they can only fly if the Department of Homeland Security provides written assurance for them.
The Iroquois could apply for US or Canadian passports, but do not wish to do so.
“We cannot do that because we are a sovereign nation. We are our own people,” said Denise Waterman, a member of the team’s board of directors, who is scheduled to travel with the team.
“We’ve been traveling on these passports for 27 years and we travel all over the world,” said Ansley Jemison, spokesperson for the team, in New York on Thursday. “I don’t believe that 23 world-class athletes pose such a national security threat.”
The team plans stay in New York, hoping to receive their visas before their second game on Saturday.
“We’re staying in the New York city area in hopes that if we have to dash to the UK Consulate, and get some fingerprints and all that stuff taken care of, we can go … at a moment’s notice,” Jemison said.
The team members belong to the Iroquois Confederacy, or Haudenosaunee, and live straddling the border of US and Canada. They hold passports issued by the Iroquois Confederacy—not from American or Canadian authorities. The British Consulate is refusing to accept the passports as valid travel documents and told the athletes that they can only fly if the Department of Homeland Security provides written assurance for them.
The Iroquois could apply for US or Canadian passports, but do not wish to do so.
“We cannot do that because we are a sovereign nation. We are our own people,” said Denise Waterman, a member of the team’s board of directors, who is scheduled to travel with the team.
“We’ve been traveling on these passports for 27 years and we travel all over the world,” said Ansley Jemison, spokesperson for the team, in New York on Thursday. “I don’t believe that 23 world-class athletes pose such a national security threat.”
The team plans stay in New York, hoping to receive their visas before their second game on Saturday.
“We’re staying in the New York city area in hopes that if we have to dash to the UK Consulate, and get some fingerprints and all that stuff taken care of, we can go … at a moment’s notice,” Jemison said.
The US State Department said that team members who were eligible for a US passport would be able to receive a one-time-only waiver of the US passport requirements to travel abroad, said spokesperson Philip Crowley at a press briefing in Washington on Thursday.
“We are in the process of providing them with a travel document. But it will still be up to the United Kingdom to evaluate whether, based on that travel document, they will be granted a visa,” said Crowley.
“Given the security concerns that we do have on the global travel system, obviously, the preferred travel document for the future is—for those who qualify—the United States passport,” added Crowley.
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“We are in the process of providing them with a travel document. But it will still be up to the United Kingdom to evaluate whether, based on that travel document, they will be granted a visa,” said Crowley.
“Given the security concerns that we do have on the global travel system, obviously, the preferred travel document for the future is—for those who qualify—the United States passport,” added Crowley.
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The delay has not only cost the team their first game, but is also creating a serious financial burden since airline tickets, hotels, lodging, meals, and transportation must all be changed, costing the team and family members more than $23,000.
The team had spent the whole year raising funds and training to compete in the championship.
“This delay has now become extremely urgent and it must be corrected by July 12 or all the practice and preparation will be wasted, and these young men’s hopes and dreams of will be trampled,” said Percy Abrams, executive director of the team a few days ago.
The team members were upset about missing their first game but remain relatively positive about the situation.
“It’s a little frustrating because we want to play so badly. Originally we were told that we could enter the UK once we get the United States to clear us, and that’s happened; they went back on their word and told us they’re not letting us in the country, so ‘frustrated’ is a good word,” said team captain Gewas Schindler.
“I haven’t let up hope and we’re staying together as a group and staying positive, no negative thoughts. So still thinking we’re going to get there,” he said.
Many family members traveled with the team to support them. Schindler’s wife, Tia Smith, and daughters were among them.
“They’re forfeiting their first game and it’s a game that they probably would have won. It’s just a little heartbreaking because there’s so much talent on this team and they have a shot at the gold medal so it’s really too bad that politics has to get in the way,” said Smith.
The British Consulate has not been available to comment on the issue and it is still unclear when the team will be able to travel to England.
Jemison, the team spokesperson, says the team still hopes to be able to play at the tournament and win. “Right now we’re a little bit in the hole … but my old college coach, coach Simmons, always used to say that a hungry player is a tougher player. Our boys are pretty hungry to get out there and start playing,” he said.
This article was updated on Thursday, July 15 at 11:30 p.m.
The team had spent the whole year raising funds and training to compete in the championship.
“This delay has now become extremely urgent and it must be corrected by July 12 or all the practice and preparation will be wasted, and these young men’s hopes and dreams of will be trampled,” said Percy Abrams, executive director of the team a few days ago.
The team members were upset about missing their first game but remain relatively positive about the situation.
“It’s a little frustrating because we want to play so badly. Originally we were told that we could enter the UK once we get the United States to clear us, and that’s happened; they went back on their word and told us they’re not letting us in the country, so ‘frustrated’ is a good word,” said team captain Gewas Schindler.
“I haven’t let up hope and we’re staying together as a group and staying positive, no negative thoughts. So still thinking we’re going to get there,” he said.
Many family members traveled with the team to support them. Schindler’s wife, Tia Smith, and daughters were among them.
“They’re forfeiting their first game and it’s a game that they probably would have won. It’s just a little heartbreaking because there’s so much talent on this team and they have a shot at the gold medal so it’s really too bad that politics has to get in the way,” said Smith.
The British Consulate has not been available to comment on the issue and it is still unclear when the team will be able to travel to England.
Jemison, the team spokesperson, says the team still hopes to be able to play at the tournament and win. “Right now we’re a little bit in the hole … but my old college coach, coach Simmons, always used to say that a hungry player is a tougher player. Our boys are pretty hungry to get out there and start playing,” he said.
This article was updated on Thursday, July 15 at 11:30 p.m.
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