Punk band UK Subs claim anti-Trump views blocked them from entering US
They were detained for over 24 hours.
Punk rockers UK Subs have claimed they were detained and sent back from the United States due to criticism of US President Donald Trump.
The band had flown out to Los Angeles for a festival gig but all except frontman Charlie Harper were denied entry and immediately returned to the UK.
This comes as reports have been growing that people are being blocked from entering the country after Trump’s second inauguration.
Since January 20, he has begun implementing executive orders including dismantling the US Education Department.
Travel bans on a large number of countries are also being considered, although the UK is not thought to be on the potential list.
Sharing their experience on Facebook, Subs bassist Alvin Gibbs wrote: ‘The truth is that Stefan (Häublein), Marc (Carrey) and I were all denied entry into the USA.’
US President Donald Trump is planning to impose travel bans (Picture: Pool/ABACA/Shutterstock)Charlie played the festival with a random lineup of supporting performers, having managed to gain entry ‘somehow’.
Alvin claims he was told his visa was incorrect after being flagged for questioning but there was another reason the agents would not disclose.
‘I can’t help but wonder whether my frequent, and less than flattering, public comments regarding their president and his administration played a role – or perhaps I’m simply succumbing to paranoia,’ he said.
The UK Subs are known for their political statements — given their punk alignment — which includes criticism of Trump.
Alvin explained what followed was ‘far from pleasant’ as he detailed the next 24 hours of detainment.
UK Subs have been vocal in their criticism of Trump (Picture: Pete Still/Redferns)Separated from his partner Roz, who was allowed to enter the US, Alvin was taken to a holding cell where he discovered his bandmates already waiting.
His luggage, phone, and passport were taken from him and, having arrived at 7pm, it was not until 4am that he was interviewed for a second time by a ‘very sympathetic female immigration officer’.
Officer Jones managed to find Roz and inform her of which flight back Alvin would be put on, meaning she could travel back with him.
‘I was escorted onto by two police officers at 8pm the next day – at that point I’d been in the holding room for 25 hours without sleep and with only a pot noodle and a couple of cups of tea to sustain me,’ Alvin added. ‘Roz had been obliged to spend 25 hours in the airport waiting for me to emerge.’
Alvin was detained for 25 hours before flying 11 hours home (Picture: Ollie Millington/Redferns via Getty Images)Due to United Airlines policies, he was not allowed to have any alcohol on his flight home to offset the stress, meanwhile, his bandmates flying with British Airways were ‘allowed to make the most of the free booze’.
After another 11-hour flight, Roz and Alvin arrived back home having gone two days with very little sleep.
Alvin said: ‘In conclusion, although not being something I’d want to replicate, it was actually an educational experience and, honestly, I’m kind of proud of myself for being thrown out of America at the age of 67, now knowing that my relationships with that country is over for the foreseeable future.’
He signed off with a nod to punk legends The Clash and their 1977 song I’m So Bored with the USA.
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