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29th Jan 2017

Mo Farah’s statement on US travel ban really brings home the reality of the situation

Carl Kinsella

Mo Farah, one of the United Kingdom’s most celebrated athletes, has lived in the United States for the past six years.

However, his Somalian citizenship means that if he leaves now, it is possible that he will not be allowed to re-enter.

There have been conflicting reports around Trump’s executive order. The State Department issued a statement confirming that the ban on citizens from certain Muslim-majority nations also applied to dual-citizens of those nations. However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given assurances to his people that dual-citizens of Canada and the seven countries affected will not be banned.

The status of dual-citizens of the United Kingdom like Mo Farah is less clear. This pain and confusion was summed up in a personal rebuke of the order that Farah posted to his Facebook on Sunday morning.

“I am a British citizen who has lived in America for the past six years – working hard, contributing to society, paying my taxes and bringing up our four children in the place they now call home.”

“Now, me and many others like me are being told that we may not be welcome. It’s deeply troubling that I will have to tell my children that Daddy might not be able to come home – to explain why the President has introduced a policy that comes from a place of ignorance and prejudice.”

“I was welcomed into Britain from Somalia at eight years old and given the chance to succeed and realise my dreams. I have been proud to represent my country, win medals for the British people and receive the greatest honour of a knighthood. My story is an example of what can happen when you follow polices of compassion and understanding, not hate and isolation.”

You can read Farah’s statement in full below:

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