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Visa Restrictions Keep Some African Contestants From Miss Universe Competition

Two African contestants will miss this year's Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico because of US visa restrictions, and other African entrants face similar visa hurdles, according to news reports.

The Continental Gazette standing plate
From the pages of The Continental Gazette.

Two African contestants will miss this year's Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico because of visa restrictions imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump, according to an ABC News report.

ABC News reported that the restrictions have forced the two contestants out of the competition. Its summary does not name the contestants or the countries they represent.

Separately, BBC News reported that a contestant identified as Hall has been seeking a US visa in South Africa, and that other African beauty queens face similar hurdles. The outlet's headline describes the contestants as being "in limbo" as US visa restrictions take effect.

The two reports differ in focus. ABC News described a confirmed outcome for two contestants, while BBC News described the situation of a contestant who was still seeking a visa. The summaries do not say whether Hall is among the two contestants ABC News said would miss the competition.

The summaries also do not give the number of African contestants affected beyond the two cited by ABC News, and they do not describe the specific terms of the visa restrictions.

Neither ABC News nor BBC News, in the material reviewed for this report, included statements from pageant organizers, the US government, or the contestants themselves.

Sources: BBC News: Africa Miss Universe beauty queens in limbo as US visa restrictions bite; ABC News: US visa restrictions force some African contestants out of Miss Universe competition.

The Continental Gazette • Printed for the Publick

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