PEACE OFF..
Troops denied US visa after Syrian service
IRISH soldiers are being prevented from entering the US because they have Syrian passport stamps due to their UN peacekeeping duties.
Many have reported difficulties in accessing visas to go on holidays or to visit family and friends.
Syria is on a list of countries which is restricted by the State Department under its visa programme.
Anyone with Syria stamped on their passport is being refused an ESTA for the States.
Last night Louth Labour TD Ged Nash, who raised the issue in the Dail, said: “Irish soldiers who served on peacekeeping duties with the UN should not be penalised because they put their lives on the line.
“Many army families have raised this with me – it is wrong and unfair.
“They are angry and upset because they can’t go to America on holidays or visit family.
“Ireland is a neutral country. Our soldiers are proud peacekeepers. We are not militarily aligned with anyone and we don’t invade other countries. I have asked the Foreign Minister Simon Coveney to raise the issue with the US State Department.
“The Americans have an issue about Syria but they shouldn’t have an issue with Irish troops.”
Mr Coveney said: “I have asked my officials to ensure the US authorities have relevant information about our deployments in order to inform their decision-making.
“Any applicant who is denied an ESTA for the US can apply for a visa through the US embassy.
“I understand ineligibility for an
ESTA based on travel to Syria or any of the other countries listed under the restrictions for US Visa Waiver programme eligibility, does not necessarily constitute an ineligibility for a visa.”
Irish soldiers have been bravely peacekeeping in Syria since 2011.
The 130-strong garrison helps the UN police a buffer zone in the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria.
They regularly come under attack from missiles fired by either side.
The US embassy in Dublin said it was “unfortunate” the Irish peacekeeping soldiers can’t get ESTA visas.
A spokesman said they are not banned from America but must apply for a visa through the embassy and do a formal interview before a visa can be granted.
He added they had nothing against the Irish soldiers and interviews would be done on a case-by-case basis.
Many can’t go to US on holiday & visit their families
GED NASH LABOUR TD YESTREDAY