Harvard student denied US entry finally arrives

Denial had to do with politically oriented social media posts by friends

Last updated: September 03, 2019 | 16:52

1 MIN READ

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Esmail Ajjawi

Boston- A Palestinian student originally denied entry to the United States just days before he was scheduled to start classes at Harvard University has been admitted to the country.

The family of Esmail Ajjawi, who currently lives in Lebanon, in a statement Monday said “We truly appreciate the efforts of so many individuals and officials in Lebanon, Washington, Massachusetts and at Harvard that have made it possible for our son Esmail Ajjawi to begin his studies at Harvard.”

Ajjawi was denied entry August 23 after spending eight hours in Boston Logan International Airport. The 17-year-old freshman said the denial had to do with politically oriented social media posts by friends.

Amideast, a nonprofit that awarded Ajjawi a scholarship, said the US Embassy in Beirut reviewed Ajjawi’s case and resissued his visa.

FILE -- Students walk up the steps of Widener Library, on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Mass., May 1, 2018. Ismail Ajjawi, a Palestinian student from Lebanon who was set to begin his freshman year at Harvard, was denied entry to the United States after immigration officials objected to his friends' social media posts, he said, prompting furor among free-speech advocates. (Hadley Green/The New York Times)

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