musicNEWS:
UFO Cancel U.S. Tour Due To Visa Problems
04-19-04
Keavin
.
UFO has been forced to cancel their U.S. tour.
Peter Knorn, part of the bands management issued the following statement
last Friday (April 16) explaining exactly what happened:
Today, the US Embassy in London refused
Phil Mogg, UFO's lead singer, a Work Permit Visa. As you may know, without
a Work Permit Visa, no non-American is able to work (i.e. performing a
commercial concert) in the United States. This seriously impacts our upcoming
US tour (April 22 through May 16, 2004)
The band members all applied for their
Work Permits (as usual) several weeks before the US tour was to begin.
Their Work Permits were approved and ISSUED on March 9, 2004 by the Bureau
Of Citizenship and Immigration Services, located in the United States.
Due to the new immigration and Work Permit laws, it is now also necessary
for the applicant to attend a personal interview, in his home country,
at the US Embassy. During Phil's interview, today, in London, England,
his name turned up in the government computer. The comment was that 'at
some time in the past' his finger prints were taken while in the USA. When,
where and why was not disclosed.
It is true, Phil's finger prints were taken
in the USA 24 years ago (!!) in Buffalo, New York. The Immigration Authority
did not think, at that time, his Visa was adequate so this fingerprinting
occurred. His Visa was then reissued, straight away, and everything was
in order. During the intervening 24 years, Phil has returned to the USA
12 times on Work and Visitors Visas. Unfortunately, the only thing that
matters now is that finger prints were taken. Under current immigration
law, whether impacted by the war or not, a person having been finger printed
promptly ceases the Visa clearance process.
Finger prints now have to be retaken from
Phil. They are sent to the FBI and, according to the information we have
been given, only when the FBI gives their approval, will it be possible
for Phil to acquire a Work Permit Visa. This procedure, the Embassy advises,
can take from 2 to 12 weeks.
The band is, therefore, forced to postpone
its tour until this matter is resolved.
We all respect that the United States must
protect itself. We will, of course, cooperate. We are, however, puzzled
and very perplexed at this unhappy last minute surprise.
We hope, with all our hearts, that you
will understand and join with us in the rescheduling process.
Sincerely, Peter Knorn (UFO management)
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