Latest news with #P-1
Associated Press
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Venezuelan NWSL star opts out of national team duty fearing possible return issues
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland Thorns forward Deyna Castellanos says she did not play for Venezuela's national team in a pair of recent games because of concerns she might not be able to return to the United States. At issue were the current and anticipated immigration and travel policies imposed by the Trump administration. 'The uncertainty of like, 'Yeah, I can go home, but not knowing if I can come back,' is something that is very scary, not just for me but players across the league,' Castellanos told reporters this week. Castellanos is the latest National Women's Soccer League player who did not join her national team during the latest international window. She missed a pair of games against Panama this month. Zambia did not call up four NWSL players for games in China because of travel concerns. They included the Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda and Prisca Chilufya, and Bay FC's Racheal Kundananji. Zambia Football Association general secretary Reuben Kamanga said in a statement that the women were not included 'owing to additional travel measures introduced by the new administration in the United States.' The statement did not point to any specific measures. 'As a global league, we recognize the unique pressures facing international athletes in the current geopolitical climate. We are committed to ongoing collaboration with FIFA and other governing bodies, as well as our clubs, the NWSLPA and the federal government, to advocate for long-term solutions that protect athletes' ability to compete on both the domestic and international stage,' the NWSL said in a statement to The Associated Press. 'This international window reaffirmed the importance of proactive conversation and partnership between leagues, clubs and national teams when balancing the needs of international competition with the well-being of players.' On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would have looked at new restrictions for visitors from certain countries, building on the travel bans imposed during his first term in office. Among the countries that was reportedly considered for the travel ban were Venezuela and Cuba. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said last month that the review was ongoing and no list had been finalized. Professional athletes and entertainers from other countries obtain P-1 visas in order to play in the United States. 'It was very sad I couldn't go with the national team, but I think it was the right decision for me to stay and just keep training and growing here. But mainly to be able to stay and keep playing here in the U.S.,' Castellanos said. In addition to travel issues, administration policies targeting transgender athletes have also caused concern in the NWSL. Canadian midfielder Quinn, who came out as nonbinary in 2020 while playing for the Seattle Reign, joined Canada's new pro Northern Super League this year. When they were signed by the Vancouver Rise, Quinn was asked if the climate in the United States had impacted their decision. 'I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about it,' said Quinn, who won a gold medal with Canada at the Tokyo Olympics. 'That definitely crossed my mind and played an aspect and understanding about what's happening in the U.S.'
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Italy looks to fighter friend Japan for a new maritime-patrol plane
ROME — Italy is considering buying the Japanese Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft to tackle hostile submarines in the Mediterranean, a move which would break an Italian tradition of U.S. aircraft purchases and strengthen ties with Tokyo. 'The P-1 is is one of the possible options available,' Italian Air Force chief Luca Goretti told reporters on Friday when asked how Italy aimed to fill gaps in its maritime patrol capability. 'We have a great relationship with Japan,' he added. A four engine platform designed from scratch as a maritime patrol aircraft, the P-1 has been in service in Japan since 2013. While export efforts to date have not been successful, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force now operates 33 aircraft. As Italy retired the last of its long serving Atlantique maritime patrol planes in 2017 it acquired ATR 72′s jointly built by Airbus and local firm Leonardo to fill the role, operated by mixed Air Force and Navy crews. But while offering electronically scanned radar, the aircraft lacked anti-submarine warfare capabilities and were only considered a gap filler. A new purchase to fill that gap would coincide with renewed naval activity in the Mediterranean by friendly and hostile powers. Acquiring the P-1 instead of the US P-8 aircraft would follow years in which Italy has looked to the U.S. for imported aircraft including B767 tankers, C-130s, Gulfstream sensor aircraft, F-35s and Reaper drones. Italy has recently boosted ties with Japan as the two countries team with the U.K. on the GCAP sixth-generation fighter program. In 2023, Leonardo also pitched its M-346 jet trainer to Japan to replace Tokyo's Kawasaki T-4 trainers after Japanese pilots were dispatched to train on the M-346 in Italy. In an address to the Italian parliament about the GCAP program on March 13, Air Force chief Goretti said working with Japan on the sixth-generation jet was prompting discussion about other possible team-ups. 'Right now there is an Italian delegation in Japan because there are other chances for growth with (Japan) including the development of a trainer for them as well as a joint patrol aircraft,' he said. 'Our collaboration has opened other horizons which were unthinkable until very recently,' he added. Goretti's suggestion of an Italian jet trainer deal with Japan and a Japanese patrol aircraft deal with Italy hinted at a possible trade-off which recalls how Italy sold the M-346 to Israel in 2012 in return for buying Israeli sensor-laden Gulfstreams and an Israeli surveillance satellite.
Axios
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Trump travel ban may hit Astros players from Cuba, Venezuela
President Trump's expected travel ban on more than three dozen countries could prevent some Astros and other Major League Baseball players from Cuba and Venezuela from coming into — or leaving — the United States. The big picture: Trump's travel ban would mean that Cuban and Venezuelan major and minor league baseball players with P-1 visas — non-immigrant visas for internationally recognized athletes and entertainers — could face new difficulties in the U.S., immigration lawyers say. Without a special exemption, those players would have a hard time returning to the U.S. after games against the Toronto Blue Jays or after playing in winter baseball leagues in Mexico, Venezuela or the Dominican Republic. Catch up quick: Trump signed an executive order in January requiring the State Department to identify countries "for which vetting and screening information is so deficient" that a travel ban is needed. The order gave the State Department 60 days to complete the report, which was due Friday. Countries that could be subject to the harshest visa restrictions include Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba, Sudan, Syria and Venezuela, news reports said. The latest: A White House official tells Axios no decisions have been made, and an MLB spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Zoom in: On Opening Day last year, the Astros had 16 players born internationally — including Cuban- and Venezuelan-born stars — the most in the league, according to MLB. Across the league, 18 players from Cuba and 58 from Venezuela were on Opening Day rosters in 2024. The league's total doesn't count the many players in the minor leagues and those who were called up or signed later in the 2024 season. It's unclear which players hold P-1 visas, but the Astros' 2025 roster includes second baseman José Altuve of Venezuela and outfielder Yordan Alvarez of Cuba. State of play: MLB's official Opening Day is Thursday. Major league players who could be affected by new travel restrictions are already with their MLB teams in the U.S. But for those with P-1 visas who are from any of the countries with the harshest restrictions, an "absolute ban would mean that these players won't be able to travel" internationally, said Amy Maldonado, an immigration lawyer in Michigan who handles baseball players' visas. Between the lines: In recent years, Cuba and Venezuela have been essential pipelines for talent in an increasingly international game. Those two countries, along with the Dominican Republic, also have helped diversify MLB by increasing the number of Afro-Latino players as the number of Black American players has declined. The number of baseball players who could be affected by a travel ban remains unknown, but Maldonado said it would mainly hurt younger players and those in the minor leagues. Most foreign stars or those experienced enough to qualify for salary arbitration typically have obtained green cards, she said. Coaches, scouts and staff members from those countries who have P-1 visas also would have limited ability to travel, she said. And teams could have a hard time bringing drafted or signed players into the U.S.
Axios
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Trump travel ban may hit MLB players from Cuba, Venezuela
An expected travel ban by the Trump administration on more than three dozen countries could prevent some Major League Baseball players from Cuba and Venezuela from coming into — or leaving — the United States. The big picture: President Trump could announce a travel ban as soon as Friday, under an executive order he issued on his first day in office. The order set the stage for what could be an absolute ban on travel to the U.S. from Cuba and Venezuela. Zoom in: Such a ban would mean that Cuban and Venezuelan major league and minor league baseball players with P-1 visas — non-immigrant visas for internationally recognized athletes and entertainers — could face new difficulties in the U.S., immigration lawyers say. Without a special exemption, those players would have a hard time returning to the U.S. after games against the Toronto Blue Jays or after playing in winter baseball leagues in Mexico, Venezuela or the Dominican Republic. Zoom out: Baseball players would be high-profile examples of the impact travel bans could have on people across the country. "A blanket travel ban will tear families apart, weaken the economy and undermine America's leadership on the global stage," the Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus said in a statement. "We cannot allow fear and prejudice to guide immigration policy and risk irreparable harm to our country's standing in the world." Zoom in: Players from Cuba and Venezuela have had an increasing presence in the major and minor league in the past two decades. There were 18 players from Cuba and 58 from Venezuela on Opening Day in 2024, according to MLB. The Houston Astros had the most international players with 16, which included Cuban and Venezuelan-born stars. The league's total didn't doesn't count the many in the minor leagues and those who were called up or signed later in the 2024 season. Catch up quick: Within hours of taking office in January, Trump signed an executive order requiring the State Department to identify countries "for which vetting and screening information is so deficient" that a travel ban is needed. The order gave the State Department 60 days to complete the report, which is due Friday. More than 40 countries that could be affected by the ban will be grouped into three categories with varying travel restrictions, Reuters and The New York Times have reported. Countries that could be subject to the harshest visa restrictions include Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba, Sudan, Syria and Venezuela, the reports said. A White House official tells Axios no decisions have been made. A State Department spokesperson said the department is reviewing all visa programs, as directed by the executive order, and declined to comment further. A spokesperson for Major League Baseball did not respond to a request for comment. State of play: The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs kicked off the major league season this week in Tokyo, but MLB's official Opening Day is next Thursday. Major league players who could be affected by new travel restrictions are already with their MLB teams here. But those with P-1 visas who are from any of the countries with the harshest visa restrictions could be stuck in the U.S. — or prevented from returning here if they were to leave, said Amy Maldonado, an immigration lawyer in Michigan who handles baseball players' visas. "An absolute ban would mean that these players won't be able to travel" internationally, Maldonado said. It's unclear how many baseball players might be affected by a travel ban, but said it would mainly hurt younger players and those in the minor leagues. Most foreign stars or those experienced enough to qualify for salary arbitration typically have obtained green cards, she said. Coaches, scouts and staff members from those countries who have P-1 visas also would have limited ability to travel, she said. And teams could have a hard time bringing drafted or signed players into the U.S. New York-based immigration lawyer Brad Bernstein also posted on Instagram that a possible travel ban would affect MLB players. On the other hand: The Trump administration could give athletes and entertainers exceptions from total visa restrictions. Between the lines: In recent years, Cuba and Venezuela have been essential pipelines for talent in an increasingly international game.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fears that Trump reforms could keep World Cup 2026 fans out of the US
Long visa appointment wait times combined with harsher regulations implemented by President Donald Trump could make it more difficult for soccer fans to make it to the United States next year for the World Cup. There may be slightly less than 500 days until the U.S. hosts the 2026 World Cup, in tandem with Canada and Mexico, but that's not enough time for soccer fans from Brazil, Colombia and Turkey to obtain tourism visas, according to global visa wait times. Appointments for B-1 and B-2 visas – tourism visas that are required for fans attending the games – can take anywhere from 600 to 700 days for those countries. People from India, the United Arab Emirates, Peru and Honduras could face a wait of more than 400 days. The long wait times are caused, in part, by a massive backlog in the U.S. immigration system. Those times could potentially take even longer after Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to be more thorough with the visa-issuance process and identify countries in which the visa-issuance process should be more thorough. Particularly, the executive order declares the U.S. should not admit foreigners associated with 'designated foreign terrorists' – he recently gave the designation to Mexican drug cartels. That executive order could lead Trump to issue a travel ban for certain countries, similar to the one he initiated during his first administration. In turn, soccer fans across the world could be blocked from visiting the U.S. for the World Cup – something Trump promised against when he made a bid for the U.S. to host the soccer tournament in 2018. In a letter to FIFA at the time, Trump said 'All eligible athletes, officials, and fans from all countries around the world would be able to enter the United States without discrimination". He said he was 'confident' the U.S. would host the World Cup in a 'similarly open and festive manner' like when it hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics and 1994 World Cup. Athletes and teams are unlikely to face the same problems that tourists seeking visas are because they apply for P-1 visas which have significantly less wait time and are made for those performing in the U.S. Additionally, people from countries that partner with the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program won't face significant wait times as they do not need to obtain a tourism visa to enter the U.S. for 90 days. But the massive backlog in visa appointment wait times is 'going to be a massive problem' for tourism during the World Cup, David J. Bier, an associate director for immigration studies at the Cato Institute, told The Los Angeles Times. It could particularly be an issue for Central and South American soccer fans who wanted to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup. Trump has repeatedly targeted these countries. On Sunday, he suspended visa processes at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia after getting into a dispute with the president. A spokesperson for the State Department, the federal agency responsible for the U.S.'s foreign policy, said it's committed to protecting the U.S. by upholding high standards of national security and public safety through the visa process.
