Venezuelan Team Barred from Tournament Due to US Visa Denial

A Venezuelan team was barred from participating in the Senior League Baseball World Series in Easley, South Carolina, after members were unable to obtain travel visas to the U.S. Little League International confirmed this to Scripps News.

The reason for the visa denial is unclear.

"While this is extremely disappointing, especially to these young athletes, the Little League International Tournament Committee has made the decision to advance the second-place team, Santa Maria de Aguayo Little League (Victoria, Mexico), to participate in the Senior League Baseball World Series and ensure the Latin America Region is represented in the tournament and that the players, coaches, and families from Mexico are able to have a memorable World Series experience,"

Little League International said in a statement.

The U.S. State Department did not provide details on why the visas were denied.

"Our consular officers are currently working to review the case to confirm proper procedures were followed and necessary appeals were submitted by the visa applicants."

The State Department said.

This development comes as the Trump administration ends temporary legal protections for immigrants from Venezuela who were granted Temporary Protected Status.

Additionally, the Trump administration has recently banned Venezuelan nationals from obtaining certain types of visas, including tourist, academic, and business visas.

Athletes are generally given P-1A visas. The Trump administration is still granting Venezuelan nationals P-1A visas.

The tournament started on August 1st and runs through August 2nd, featuring six U.S. teams and six international teams comprising children ages 13-16.