Percy Abrams, Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team executive director, shows his Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy) passport
In light of the craziness surrounding the situation this week, let’s keep it simple and break-down the timeline of events that got us here. This is a very unfortunately situation, and is much bigger than a lacrosse game…
Iroquois Lacrosse Time-Line:
- Sunday, July 11th: The Iroquois team heads to NYC to prepare for their trip to the World Lacrosse Championships in England. They are scheduled to fly out of JFK.
- Monday, July 12th: The Iroquois team announces that the U.S. government is preventing them from leaving the country due to their non-U.S. passports. The team’s 23 players refused an offer to receive expedited U.S. passports on the principle of their sovereignty. The team is stuck in Manhattan awaiting resolution.
- Tuesday, July 13th: The team is still stuck in NYC, but they’re keeping their spirits high. The Obama administration will not waiver on the issue for the team, and things are not looking good. The story begins picking up national media attention. The first Iroquois game is scheduled in England in 48 hours, so they need to resolve this as soon as possible.
- Wednesday, July 14th: A glimmer of hope. Rumors are buzzing that the team is in good spirits and that the U.S. may be granting an exception to the players that will allow them to travel on with their Iroquois Confederacy-issued passports. Multiple press outlets report that the team is en route to JFK and cleared for take-off. It’s confirmed – the team may travel on a one-time waiver approved by Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
- Thursday, July 15th: Say it ain’t so. The team never got on the plane Wednesday. After being cleared by the U.S government, the team finds out that the British Consulate won’t allow them to travel without U.S. or Canadian passports (which the team was eligible for, but refused). The UK announces that the Iroquois Confederacy-issued passports do not meet the current passport standards required for travel.
The American government processed all visa applications for the entire delegation since the yellow-colored Iroquois passport is the same for Canadians and Americans, said Ansley Jemison, general manager of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse league. The British Consulate would not offer entry visas unless the American government guaranteed their return. The U.S. would not agree to the terms and dropped the applications.
The team must forfeit its Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships opener against host England in Manchester on Thursday.
“We are sorry that the Iroquois are still having problems getting their visas. Given the delays, we had to make a decision on the opening date,” FIL spokesman Ron Balls said. “After discussions, we are pleased that Germany will participate in the opening game.”
There’s not much else to say about this situation. It’s a disgrace to lacrosse, and a disgrace to the absurd policies of our government. Clearly these men are who they are, and should be allowed to travel. There can be common-sense exceptions made for this unique circumstance. The U.S. government has failed miserably here. This is a heartbreaking story, and one that will not be forgotten.
