ABU DHABI - Federal National Council member Mohammed Abdullah Al Zaabi has protested against the country's facilitation of entry for visitors from the United States in the face of the difficulties being encountered by UAE nationals who travel to the US
ABU DHABI — Federal National Council member Mohammed Abdullah Al Zaabi has protested against the country's facilitation of entry for visitors from the United States in the face of the difficulties being encountered by UAE nationals who travel to the US.
During the FNC session yesterday, Al Zaabi maintained that although the nationals who visit the US for various reasons, such as studies, medical treatment and tourism, have legitimate visas, some are still subjected to humiliating searches and interrogations, stressing that this should not be the case considering the good relations between the US and the UAE.
Dr Mohammed Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said 5,600 UAE nationals went to the US on visit visas last year, and eight of them were refused entry into the US and sent back.
Responding to Al Zaabi, he admitted that the treatment meted out to UAE nationals by US authorities is far from ideal and assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to improve the situation.
The session also discussed various issues including a federal ban on smoking, the lack of services in remote areas, and the policy of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GEA).
