5 youths arrested in US return to Kuwait – Kuwaitis held over visa problems
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KUWAIT CITY, Sept 11: The five Kuwaiti youths, who were arrested in the USA, returned to the country after a series of official communications between Kuwait’s Ministry of Affairs and the US State Department, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
Earlier, it was reported that the US authorities arrested these five Kuwaitis on the US-Mexico border over visa problems. This happened although one of them claimed that his entry visa to the US was lost when his passport was stolen while they were in Mexico.
In a press statement during the reception for the five Kuwaitis who arrived Sunday night, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Consulate Affairs Sami Al-Hamad affirmed that First Deputy Premier and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and Undersecretary Khaled Al-Jarallah have been working hard to secure the release of these citizens since they received information on the arrest.
He said Kuwaiti Ambassador to Washington Sheikh Salem Al-Jaber and General Counsel in Los Angeles Abdullatif Al-Yahya have been closely following up the issue as well. He also talked about his meeting with the charge d’affaires and the Consulate Section head in the US Embassy last week, during which they discussed measures taken to secure the release of the five Kuwaitis.
He confirmed the consulate expressed willingness to coordinate with the concerned authorities in Kuwait to release the citizens and this was made possible through continuous communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He congratulated HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the government and people of Kuwait for the return of the five citizens.
Asked about the possibility of these citizens’ return to the US especially since some of them are studying there, Al-Hamad stressed they will not return because the US has laws and security measures related to the entry visas for students. He pointed out the US authorities have the right to cancel the entry visa and repatriate the concerned students to their country.
On the advisory for Kuwaitis to refrain from storing certain data in their mobile phones if they intend to travel to the US, Al-Hamad clarified there are no regulations or instructions in this regard. He was quick to add though that the US immigration, customs and security officers have full authority to check all passengers; not just those coming from GCC countries. He also thanked the State of Qatar for its cooperation in the return of the five Kuwaitis on board Qatar Airways through which they traveled from Los Angeles to Kuwait with Doha as transit point.
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