Afghanistan all-girls team arrives in US to participate in robotics competition

Apple Incorporated Modi ji Justin Trudeau Trending

Home
World
Afghanistan all-girls team arrives in US to participate in robotics competition

Afghanistan all-girls team arrives in US to participate in robotics competition

FP Staff • July 17, 2017, 15:46:58 IST

Whatsapp Facebook Twitter

Whatsapp Facebook Twitter

Twice rejected for US visas, an all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan arrived in Washington after a last-minute intervention by President Donald Trump

Advertisement

Afghanistan all-girls team arrives in US to participate in robotics competition

Twice rejected for U.S. visas, an all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan arrived in Washington early Saturday after an extraordinary, last-minute intervention by President Donald Trump. The six-girl team and their chaperone completed their journey just after midnight from their hometown of Herat, Afghanistan, to enter their ball-sorting robot in the three-day high school competition starting Sunday in the U.S. capital. AP

In the short time since their visa dilemma drew global attention, the girls' case has become a flashpoint in the debate about Trump's efforts to tighten entrance to the US, including from many majority-Muslim countries. Afghanistan isn't included in Trump's temporary travel ban, but critics have said the ban is emblematic of a broader effort to put a chill on Muslims entering the US. AP

The US won't say why the girls were rejected for visas, citing confidentiality. But it appears the girls were rebuffed due to concerns they would not return to Afghanistan. It's a fate that has beset many Afghans seeking entry to the US in recent years as continuing violence and economic challenges lead many to seek asylum in America. AP

Competing against entrants from more than 150 countries, the girls will present a robot they devised that can recognise blue and orange and sort balls into correct locations. They'll also be feted at a hastily arranged reception at the Embassy of Afghanistan attended by supporters who had petitioned the US to let them in. Reuters

FIRST Robotics Competition is an international high school robotics competition. Each year, teams of high school students and mentors work during a six-week period to build game-playing robots that weigh up to 120 pounds (54 kg). Robots complete tasks such as scoring balls into goals, flying discs into goals, inner tubes onto racks, hanging on bars, and balancing robots on balance beams. AP

Tags

Donald Trump Afghanistan USA Visas ImagesOfTheDay Robotics travel ban

Home Video Shorts News