#visa-issues

#visa-issues

Spring Training is officially underway with Atlanta Braves pitchers and catchers reporting to North Port for workouts. Today has been a jam-packed news day with the Braves adding catcher Johan Heim, losing starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach to the 60-day IL, dealing with new reliever Robert Suarez having visa issues and Dylan Lee winning his arbitration case. Oh, and Nacho Alvarez, Jr. is working out with the catchers. All of that and it is just day one!

A young French tennis coach who once lived the American dream describes being detained, shackled and expelled under the Trump administration's tightened border rules. JUANA SUMMERS, HOST: There was a sharp drop in the number of European tourists visiting the U.S. last year compared to 2024. Many said the volatile political climate was the reason. Frightening stories of Europeans getting caught in the Trump administration's reinforced border controls have also dampened desires to cross the Atlantic. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley brings us one French person's experience.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member was set to tour in support of his book, Cat on the Road to Findout, which will release in the US on 7 October and was made available in the UK earlier in September. The book release won't be impacted, Islam wrote, noting that books don't need visas! Islam is the latest in a string of international musicians and athletes impacted by visa issues, as fees have increased in the past year and processing times have slowed.

Organizers are reportedly working to reschedule the appearance dates and if they do, all tickets will remain good for the rescheduled date and no further action is needed for fans still planning on attending. Ticket purchasers will receive an email as soon as possible with the updated status of the events and can check their Ticketmaster Account at any time for the most updated status, according to the news release.

Little League International stated that the Cacique Mara Little League team from Venezuela was unable to obtain the appropriate visas to travel to the Senior League Baseball World Series, and described this situation as extremely disappointing for the young athletes involved.

"We are obviously disappointed that Grupo Firme was not able to play the festival due to visa issues," La Onda partner David Graham said in a statement.

"I can no longer go because I believe they took away my visa," Petro said.

They twisted it to make it seem as if we admitted that we wanted to work illegally in the US.