Iraqi Striker Questioned for 7 Hours After Being Detained at U.S. Airport
Collected Photo
After securing a World Cup berth for the first time in 40 years, Iraq was celebrating its qualification. However, the joy quickly turned into a bitter experience upon arrival in North America.
Iraq’s star striker Aymen Hussein arrived in the United States early Saturday morning along with his teammates ahead of the World Cup. But shortly after landing at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, he was separated from the squad and taken aside by U.S. security officials.
He was reportedly held for around seven hours and subjected to extensive questioning, according to an official from the Iraqi Olympic Committee. The official confirmed that after the interrogation, the 30-year-old striker was eventually allowed to enter the United States. However, the team’s official photographer, Talal Salah, was detained for over 10 hours and later deported after being denied entry.
Fans had gathered at the airport in large numbers, waving national flags to welcome the team upon their arrival in Chicago. However, the team had to proceed to their hotel and training camp without their key forward.
According to Iraqi media reports, immigration officers placed Aymen Hussein under strict security and administrative procedures. His mobile phone was also confiscated and thoroughly searched. Some reports suggested that his past family tragedies may have contributed to the heightened scrutiny.
Hussein’s father was killed in 2008 while fighting against Al-Qaeda, and his brother was abducted by ISIS in 2014 and remains missing.
While Hussein was eventually released, the team’s photographer Talal Salah was not so fortunate. An Iraqi official stated that Salah was held for more than 10 hours, his phone was also examined, and his visa was ultimately revoked before he was sent back.
Neither the Iraqi Football Association nor Aymen Hussein has issued any public statement regarding the incident so far. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security have also not released any official comment.
The incident has sparked outrage in Middle Eastern football circles, with criticism directed at U.S. authorities over their handling of visa and immigration procedures just ahead of the World Cup. Iran’s national team has also reportedly condemned what it described as discriminatory treatment and visa complications.
It is worth noting that Iraq has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since the 1986 Mexico tournament. Aymen Hussein played a decisive role in securing qualification by scoring the winning goal against Bolivia in the playoff.
Iraq will begin its World Cup campaign on June 17 in Boston against Norway. They are placed in a tough Group I alongside former world champions France and African giants Senegal.
