Belfast guy Jim Donnelly claimed his background had caused his teenage son having journey authorization rejected.
Mr. Donnelly became released below the Good Friday peace settlement 21 years ago.
A US Consulate spokesman said the Department of State did now not touch upon person visa instances.
“We continue to be committed to facilitate the valid journey for individuals, which includes business, tourism and for packages that construct network ties,” he stated.
People trying to travel to America need to ensure they have got an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) or visa “nicely earlier of travel”, he added.
The ESTA is an online shape that citizens of 38 nations can use to waive their want for a complete US visa, letting them live in u . S. A. For 90 days or fewer.
‘It politicizes younger humans’
Mr. Donnelly advised the BBC’s Talkback program his 15-12 months-vintage son changed into “extremely disappointed” when his ESTA utility changed into rejected.
“I was in jail earlier than he became born,” stated Mr. Donnelly.
“A 15-year antique who takes place to have a father who turned into worried in a battle 22 years ago – is that honest?” he requested.
“It politicizes young human beings when they then start to ask: ‘Why become I rejected?’
He said he believed it changed into against the principles of the Good Friday Agreement, which turned into signed in 1998 and caused the give up of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
“My son has been denied over some thing that befell before he changed into born,” he delivered.
‘Barred after checking in’
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín, who spent four years in jail, stated her youngest son also had issues getting into the USA.
She said he had been a success inside the ESTA technique however then “got to test-in and was told he became barred”.
Her son went to US Consulate and was asked questions about his mom, she alleged.
“The children of political ex-prisoners or maybe their members of the family are facing discrimination,” she said.
Mr. Ó Donnghaile stated he had written to the Good Friday Agreement Implementation Committee, asking it to engage with America Embassy about “the kids and grandchildren of former political prisoners right here being barred from a journey into America”.
‘Spirit of generosity long past’
Tom Roberts, a former Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) prisoner and director of the Ex-Prisoners Interpretative Centre, which facilitates loyalist former prisoners resettle into communities, stated it did not just have an effect on Republicans.
“Republicans do not have a monopoly on injustice due to the conflict,” he said.
“I turned into in transit to Nicaragua and was taken off the aircraft at Houston Airport and turned into deported back to Northern Ireland.”
He stated journey authorization was “certainly one of a raft of issues” affecting ex-prisoners and their households.
“There became a dedication in Good Friday Agreement to facilitate the reintegration of ex-prisoners, permitting them to resume complete citizenship.
“Unfortunately the spirit of generosity that existed around the time of ceasefires has dissipated – it is all however gone.”
