Homeland Security Sec. Markwayne Mullin was unapologetic over a Somali “referee” being denied entry into the United States for the World Cup – an Iraqi “staff member” was also denied entry.
“We’re not gonna let people with criminal ties…. to come into this country. I don’t care what your situation is,” Mullin said when asked by a reporter about the rejection. “I’m not going to get into why we denied this individual, but there’s a reason why this person was denied.”
“The left media wants to report he’s a victim because we are ‘anti-Somalian’ — no we’re not. We work closely with FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)… and anybody that was denied we made the case for, and showed why they were denied.”
🚨 JUST IN: DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin REFUSES to back down after a Somali “referee” and Iraqi “team staff member” were denied entry into the US for the World Cup
GOOD! Clearly they were dangerous!
MULLIN: “We’re not gonna let people with criminal ties to come into this country!… pic.twitter.com/7CHn1eqTIJ
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 11, 2026
The referee in question, identified as Omar Artan, was refused admission due to “association with suspected members of terror organizations,” according to an anonymous U.S. official who commented on the matter covered by visa privacy laws.
Artan was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday, and FIFA subsequently cut him from the tournament’s referee list, according to the Associated Press.
A Somali World Cup referee was denied entry into the U.S. after CBP says inspectors uncovered information linking him to suspected members of terror organizations.
Omar Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday and was turned away despite reportedly receiving a… pic.twitter.com/rXR3KRdyw5
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 11, 2026
The news agency touted that Artan “is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025,” adding that Artan “was going to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament.”
He also received a hero’s welcome when he returned home, according to the AP.
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
Markwayne Mullin is right: Somali ref Artan had terror ties (Al-Shabaab/Al-Qaeda flags). Grilled 11 hours, then sent home. Same for Iraqi team photographer.
No criminal baggage gets in. Security first — thank you, Secretary Mullin!
Damn right! pic.twitter.com/QiN9NETx9H— Rochellemaryn 🌹🕊️ (@RochelleAz) June 12, 2026
I’d rather hurt a few people’s feelings than risk the lives on thousands 🧐
— Kevin Peacock (@kevin_peac64157) June 11, 2026
People from failed state, third world countries cannot be properly vetted in a short amount of time.
The U.S. should not be bum-rushed to let such people into the country for a temporary recreational visit.— A K Noorian (@tutueme) June 11, 2026
If it was a South African white referee nobody would give a fuck! But since it’s a Somalian referee because of the fraud in Minnesota, democrats and the media want to distract. It’s their new George Floyd.
— Fume (@fumeyokosakie) June 12, 2026
The concern is his association with Al Shabab. Most commonly refers to Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, a lethal, Somalia-based Islamist insurgent and terrorist group. They released a statement on his behalf. Report that.
— Down South Patriot (@kneis816) June 11, 2026
Being a Ref for the World Cup is the perfect cover to bring harm into America. No person with terrorist ties will enter America under Trump.
Got ‘em and sent him back.— XplusMe (@XplusMe) June 12, 2026
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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