Saint Levant Delays North American Tour Due to Visa Issues

Saint Levant, the Palestinian singer-songwriter Marwan Abdelhamid, has announced the postponement of his highly anticipated North American tour due to significant complications with his US visa application. In an Instagram post, he shared that although his visa was initially approved, he was unexpectedly required to undergo additional background checks as the tour dates approached.

In light of these challenges, Abdelhamid, along with his legal team, has decided to push back the tour until spring 2027, hoping the visa issues will be resolved by then. The tour was set to be his largest yet, featuring 41 performances across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, including major cities like Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and Detroit.

This setback comes amid a troubling trend for international artists facing heightened immigration restrictions in the United States. Under President Donald Trump's administration, stricter visa policies have made it increasingly difficult for performers from various countries to tour in the US. Recent legal actions have challenged these restrictions, including a ruling from US District Judge Jeannette Vargas that deemed some policies unlawful.

As visa hurdles become more formidable, many artists, such as the Tuareg band Tinariwen and Mexican singer Diego Millan, have had to cancel or alter their US tour plans. Critics have raised concerns that these immigration policies disproportionately affect certain groups and suppress diverse voices, particularly those advocating for Palestinian rights.

Born in Jerusalem to a mixed heritage, Abdelhamid's music captures the Palestinian narrative, focusing on themes of displacement and identity. His upcoming tour was in support of his second album, AFANDI, released on August 21.

Source: www.aljazeera.com