Di mama of Cape Verde star goalkeeper Vozinha don finally get visa to enter United States for her son next World Cup match. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announce di good news on Wednesday. Vozinha, wey be 40 years old, don become early star of di tournament after im make key saves for 0-0 draw with Spain, one of di favorites wey dem expect to beat small Cape Verde.
Jeffries say im contact US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and ask di State Department to do everything for dem power to ensure dat di goalkeeper mama fit attend Cape Verde next match against Uruguay for Miami on Sunday. All fees don dey waived and travel arrangements dey made to bring am to di game.
Jeffries thank State Department officials, government of Cape Verde, and FIFA for working together to make dis possible. Vozinha make seven saves against Spain as Cape Verde deliver stunning World Cup debut. Di visa situation come under spotlight because of President Donald Trump broader crackdown on travelers from countries wey officials say get high rates of visa overstays.
Trump administration last month suspend requirement for ticket-holders from Cape Verde and four other World Cup nations to post bond, but critics say e be too late for many fans. State Department earlier say dem get no record of Vozinha mama ever applying for visa, but dem dey work on resolving situation with Cape Verde authorities. Di department say dem don notify all players from World Cup countries affected by di $15,000 visa bond requirement dat dem and dem families go exempt from posting di bond.
One person wey know di matter say State Department believe dat Vozinha mama no apply for visa because she no hold valid Cape Verde passport, but she dey now process to get one. Di person talk on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential visa deliberations.
