| | Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS -- Immigration authorities barred entry to 52
bus boys, waiters and cooks for Formula One racing teams competing
in the inaugural U.S. Grand Prix on Sunday.
Authorities turned away the workers Tuesday and Wednesday at
Detroit Metro Airport because they did not have visas, said Kim
Ogden, deputy district director of the Detroit Immigration and
Naturalization Services.
Foreigners are not allowed to work in the United States without
a visa.
The 52 were attempting to enter the country under a program that
waives visa requirements for tourists from 30 countries.
Immigration officials asked the workers why they wanted to enter
the United States. Among the reasons given were vacation and a
desire to watch the race, Detroit inspector Ricardo Wong said.
"Their companies knew they couldn't get in and sent them
anyway. They should know whether entering the country as a worker
is right or wrong." Wong said.
Immigration officials would not release the names of the
workers. Ogden said they were from several countries, including
Denmark, Finland and Austria. He added that 52 refusals over two
days is rare.
A Formula One team typically has 150 employees traveling to
races.
Immigration problems are not uncommon at Formula One events,
said Fred Nation, a spokesman for Indianapolis Motor Speedway. | |
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