A team of six Afghan girls will participate in an international robotics tournament in the US today. Their visa applications had been rejected twice. US Department of Homeland Security Spokesman David Lapan said the US Citizenship and Immigration Services approved a Department of State request for six girls from the war-torn country along with their chaperones for the competition. Lida, one of the six Afghan participants, said that they were very happy that the embassy issued visas after twice rejecting their applications. It was reported that they were ultimately able to secure entry to the US through the intervention of US President Donald Trump.
Afghan Ambassador to the United States Hamdullah Mohib told ABC news that seventeen years ago, this would not have been possible at all. He added, “They represent our aspirations and resilience despite having been brought up in a perpetual conflict. These girls will be proving to the world and the nation that nothing will prevent us from being an equal and active member of the international community.” First Global, a not-for-profit charity, holds the annual international robotics challenge in the hope of sparking a passion for science and technology among high school students around the world. It is an “Olympics”-style competition in which one team from every nation is invited to participate. The tournament takes place July 16-18 in Washington D.C.
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