Extreme Vetting Takes Its Toll, US Denies Visa To Two Kashmir Athletes Citing 'Current Policies'

The impact of US President Donald Trump's 'extreme vetting' policy is now stretching its arms to the Asian subcontinent. Two Kashmiri athletes Tanveer Hussain and Abid Khan have reportedly been denied visa by the Unites States of America Embassy citing the 'current policies'.

They were scheduled to participate in snow-shoe championship in New York on February 25, 2017.

Tanveer Hussain, 24, a snow-shoe champion from Kashmir was invited by World Snow-Shoe Federation for the championship that is scheduled for next month in the Saranac Lake. He had flown to New Delhi on Saturday to get his Visa. While talking to Outlook, Hussain said that the entire episode is very disheartening for him. "I had high hopes from the event, have been preparing since last two years."

Hussain also participated in Italy in 2016 winter games for snow-shoe championship. He says has never encountered such problem in the past and that he had all the documents and clearances required for the visa. "We had all the documents intact including the invitation by the Mayor of Village of Sarnac Lake in New York and from the sports federation," he told Outlook.

Five minutes into the interview, the woman who was interviewing Hussain left to consult someone from the Embassy and turned up with a 'sorry' message. "I still remember the exact words 'Sorry, due to our current policy, your visa application cannot be cleared' without elaborating on them," he said.

Clyde Rabideau, Mayor of the Village of Sarnac Lake in New York expressed his anguish in his Facebook post: "Indian Snowshoers Denied Visas, due to 'current (US) policy'. This from our good friend Abid Khan, from Kashmir, minutes ago in our Facebook Messaging."

Rabideau, while promising help with the visa, said "this will not stand".

Despite the visa denial, Hussain is still hopeful of representing India at this year's event. He says he trusts the authorities, if need be will apply again. "We are ready to pay the fee again and do whatever it takes to get the clearance," he told Outlook.