Carwyn wades in for US flight-ban teacher
First Minister Carwyn Jones has demanded that the UK government step in on behalf of a teacher who was booted off a flight to the US.
Mr Jones has written to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to protest against the treatment of Juhel Miah, a maths teacher at Llangatwg Comprehensive School in Aberdulais, near Neath.
Mr Miah, a Muslim, was accompanying school pupils on a trip to New York City when he was prevented from boarding by US officials stationed at Reykjavik airport, in Iceland.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” he said in a video he recorded at the airport while he was waiting to hear his fate.
“Honestly, I feel like a criminal. They’ve given me some water. Oh, and I’m sitting by some boxes.”
Now Mr Jones has asked Mr Johnson to raise the matter directly with the American authorities.
In a letter to the Foreign Secretary, he wrote: “While the school trip proceeded as planned, Mr Miah’s removal from the flight left pupils and colleagues shocked and distressed. “I understand that Mr Miah was refused permission by the United States authorities to fly to New York, despite being issued with a valid visa for travel.
“I understand that Mr Miah holds a full UK passport and has no dual nationality.”
The First Minister pointed out that Mr Johnson had told the House of Commons last month that US President Trump’s executive order would not affect British passportholders.
And he added: “Mr Miah feels, understandably, upset and embarrassed at what appears to be an act of discrimination against a UK passportholder. The case is particularly disappointing in the light of the normally excellent relations between this country and the United States.
“I should be grateful for your urgent consideration and observations on this matter. I should also be grateful if you would pursue the matter directly with the appropriate US authorities with a view to securing an explanation for what seems to be a contravention of stated US policy and the rights granted to UK passportholders.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We have been in close contact with Mr Miah’s employers since being made aware of the situation. The First Minister has written to the Foreign Secretary outlining our concerns and looking for urgent clarification on this case.”
The US Embassy in London has been contacted for a comment.
Meanwhile, a former colleague of Mr Miah has said she is horrified by the way he has been treated.
Chazz Collins said: “He is friendly and always has time for you. I never saw anything which would make anyone feel even remotely threatened.”
President Trump’s executive order was unveiled at the end of his first week in office.
In its original form, the order temporarily suspended all travel to the US for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days.
While the White House said he was fulfilling a campaign promise to toughen vetting procedures for people coming from countries with terror ties, the order caused chaos at airports in the US and sparked protests across the country.
The President has cast the order as crucial for national security.
The order was put on hold by the courts and a revised version has not yet been signed, though it is understood from a draft that the same seven countries – Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Libya – will be targeted in it.