French Lawmaker's Visa Denial Sparks Diplomacy Concerns

Pouria Amirshahi, a French MP, expressed disappointment over his denied U.S. entry visa meant for discussions on democratic resilience under Trump.

Pouria Amirshahi, a left-leaning member of the French Parliament, is calling on American authorities to overturn their decision denying him entry into the United States. The refusal came as Amirshahi intended to visit progressive lawmakers and intellectuals in Washington D.C., New York, and Boston, aiming to explore the implications of the Trump presidency on American society and governance.

Amirshahi belongs to the Green party and recently formed a coalition called La Digue, or The Dike, with fellow leftist and centrist politicians to combat the rise of neo-fascism in democratic societies. In a press conference held at the French National Assembly, he shared his objectives for the trip, which included meetings with Democratic Senator Peter Welch of Vermont and Representative Maxine Dexter of Oregon.

However, his visa application was unexpectedly denied this past Tuesday, leading Amirshahi to comment how “the door was shut in a rather abrupt and unexpected manner.” He described the rejection as “both hostile and unfriendly,” indicating a strained diplomatic rapport. A spokesperson for Amirshahi noted that the U.S. embassy was re-evaluating the grounds for the visa refusal, hinting at potential developments in the case.