A Palestinian teenager who had his dreams of studying at Harvard shattered when he was refused entry to the US has had the decision reversed a week later - right in time for the start of classes.
According to Amideast, a US-based organisation that sponsors Middle Eastern students to undertake international education, Ismail Ajjawi arrived at Boston's Logan International Airport on Monday, the same airport where he had previously been questioned and sent back to his family in Lebanon, where they now live.
Last week, the 17-year-old said he was detained for eight hours and ultimately refused from entering the country because of his friend's political comments on social media.
Speaking to Harvard's student newspaper, The Crimson, Mr Ajjawi said the immigration officer "screamed" at him.
Ismail Ajjawi was awarded a scholarship by a US organisation due to his academic achievements. Source: Amideast
"When I asked every time to have my phone back so I could tell them about the situation, the officer refused and told me to sit back in [my] position and not move at all," he said in a statement.
“After the 5 hours ended, she called me into a room, and she started screaming at me. She said that she found people posting political points of view that oppose the US on my friend[s] list.”
After news spread of his refusal, the 2023 Harvard class, of which Mr Ajjawi was meant to be a member, launched a Change.org petition in support of the teenager, describing the interrogation as "far longer and more invasive than inspections for other international students".
On Wednesday, however, Harvard confirmed that Mr Ajjawi had arrived on campus in time to start classes.
"The last 10 days have been difficult and anxiety-filled, but we are most grateful for the thousands of messages of support and particularly the work of Amideast," Mr Ajjawi's family said in a statement, requesting privacy.
US authorities have not explained why he was previously barred, with the Customs and Border Protection agency only saying that he was "deemed inadmissible" during the airport check.
In a statement on Monday, Amdieast - which had provided a scholarship to Mr Ajjawi in recognition of his "stellar academic qualifications" - said they were pleased he had been allowed to commence his studies.
They said the US Embassy in Beirut had reviewed his case and reissued him a visa allowing him to travel back to the US.
“We are pleased that Ismail’s Harvard dream will come true after all," Amideast president Theodore Kattouf said.
"Ismail is a bright young man whose hard work, intelligence and drive enabled him to overcome the challenges that Palestinian refugee youth continue to face in order to earn a scholarship."
With AFP
