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[LA TIMES] K-pop group was turned away at LAX for lying about reason for visiting US, official says

December 14, 2015

 

Oh My Girl (Newsis)

Oh My Girl (Newsis)

[LOS ANGELES TIMES] – The K-pop group that was turned away at LAX this week was denied entry because the members lied about the purpose of their trip, not because they were mistaken for sex workers as the performers have claimed, a government official said over the weekend.

An official with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who asked that his name not be used because he was not authorized to discuss the matter, said the eight-member girl band lied to customs officials and said they were traveling to the U.S. as tourists, rather than for work.

Officials denied them entry when it became clear from the contents of their luggage that they were here to perform but did not have the required P1 performance visa.

The customs official also disputed that the band and accompanying staff members were “detained” for more than 15 hours at the airport. The group was put on the first flight back to Korea operated by the same airline they arrived on, as is the policy, which was 15 hours later, the official said. [READ MORE]