African Miss Universe Contestants Struggle to Get U.S. Visas

A crackdown on entry by some citizens of African countries by the U.S. immigration officials means that some contestants might not get visas in time to attend the pageant in Puerto Rico this month. At least two African contestants for Miss Universe said they were in danger of missing the pageant in Puerto Rico this month because they had not secured U.S. visas amid a crackdown by the Trump administration.

One contestant, Miss Zambia, Mubanga Pamela Hatyoka, said she would not travel to the annual event on Nov. 24 because she had not received her visa, according to Arm Model Management, which said it was the franchise holder of Miss Zambia 2026. Her nonattendance is “linked to the United States presidential travel restrictions affecting Zambia and other African nations,” the agency said in a statement on social media. “She earned her crown, she earned her title, and she deserves the opportunity to represent the nation she proudly serves.” The contestant from Zimbabwe, Roseanna Hall, said on social media that she, too, had not received a U.S.

visa. “I will not give up,” she said.