US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to facilitate a visa for the mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, so she can watch her son compete in the World Cup.
Ana Candida Evora was unable to travel to Atlanta to see Vozinha (real name Josimar Dias) shine in a goalless draw against Spain on June 15, because she could not afford the $15,000 visa bond required from citizens of certain countries.
Under rules introduced by the administration of former President Donald Trump, Cape Verde was among dozens of nations whose citizens must post a bond before receiving a US visa, a measure aimed at preventing overstays. Washington later waived that requirement for people with World Cup tickets, but for Evora, the cost was still prohibitive for the 6,400-kilometer journey.
“I really wanted to go watch the match, but it was impossible,” Evora said.
Her inability to attend her son's historic moment sparked an outcry. Jeffries wrote on social media: “No mother should miss seeing her child make history. I have asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to do everything possible to get her to the next match on Sunday.”
A State Department official said no visa application from Evora had been received, but relatives of players are exempt from the bond requirement. Washington is “proactively reaching out to this player's family to assist with visa services.”
Vozinha stunned observers by shutting down Spain's powerful attack in Cape Verde's World Cup debut. After the match, he broke down in tears and said: “My mother can't be here because of the visa. The visa fee – we couldn't prepare for it. I wish she were here.”
Immigration issues have also affected other small teams. Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to officiate at the World Cup, and some members of Iran's coaching staff were denied visas, forcing the team to relocate its base to Mexico.
Cape Verde Football Federation President Mario Semedo said travel, accommodation and ticket costs are major barriers for fans from small nations. “Surely there is a way to manage immigration while also accommodating fans. If a player's family wants to attend the tournament, every effort should be made to support that,” he said.
