Mo Farah is ‘deeply troubling’ by Donald Trump’s immigration ban that could leave him separated from his wife and four children.
Trump’s executive order bars citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for the next 90 days and suspends the admission of all refugees for 120 days.
Farah’s full statement below:
“I am a British citizen who has lived in America for the past six years – working hard, contributing to society, paying my taxes and bringing up our four children in the place they now call home. Now me and many others like me are being told that we may not be welcome. It’s deeply troubling that I will have to tell my children that daddy might not be able to come home – to explain why the president has introduced a policy that comes from a place of ignorance and prejudice.”
Farah does not know if the ban applies to him. Although he was born in Somalia, he moved to Britain when he was eight and now only holds a British passport. He is seeking to clarify the situation with the US authorities.
“I was welcomed into Britain from Somalia at eight years old and given the chance to succeed and realise my dreams,” he added. “I have been proud to represent my country, win medals for the British people and receive the greatest honour of a knighthood. My story is an example of what can happen when you follow polices of compassion and understanding, not hate and isolation.”
