WASHINGTON (TNND) — Major League Baseball is paying close attention to the expected travel ban by the Trump Administration. With a percentage of players from Cuba and Venezuela, playing games outside of the United States could present some challenges. According to the MLB, there were 18 players from Cuba and 58 from Venezuela on Opening Day rosters in 2024. But even those with P-1 visas, which are granted to internationally recognized athletes and entertainers, still might have issues entering and leaving the U.S. Ernesto Castaneda, Director of the Immigration Lab at American University tells us, that when games are played outside of the United States, players from Cuba and Venezuela might get left behind. "The lawyers will probably recommend those players do not go to those games," Castaneda said. Without a special exemption, those players would likely have a hard time returning to the U.S. after playing games in Toronto against the Blue Jays or in winter baseball leagues in other countries. "If their passport is from Cuba or Venezuela and that went into effect they wouldn't be allowed in while the rest of the team would," said Castaneda. With Cuba and Venezuela on the 'red list' meaning all travel is banned, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, an immigration attorney says, even those athletes approved for visas could still face issues at the border and airport. "They go under a re-review by CBP officers and so they could get denied upon their entry and detained and deported. It can be a very dramatic and difficult situation," Lincoln-Goldfinch said. If the ban goes into effect, she says it will be strictly enforced. Especially for those from a restricted country. "Just because someone is an athlete, if there is a red list travel ban, it's not going to get them into this country," said Lincoln-Goldfinch. Castaneda says this ban will likely have a big impact on minor-league baseball as well. Many prospects come from other countries, so it could be difficult to recruit and get them to the U.S. https://thenationaldesk.com/news/am...pening-day-internationally-recognized-tornoto https://www.lawsb.com/trump-travel-ban-mlb-players-cuba-venezuela/ https://www.axios.com/2025/03/21/trump-travel-ban-mlb-players-cuba-venezuela
wrong forum but factually relevant. Anyways I’m sure exceptions will be made for the right amount of money
Like the Cubans did for years...establish residency in another country (DR and various Caribbeans were the hotspots) and then come to the States. It'll still be a nightmare for them. Try going back home? Renewing a visa every year?
I know someone that works for a MLB team and they are very worried about this. Actually worried about any Latin player.
All of the international players. Hell, they might send Altuve back to Venezuela, I think he has a tattoo.
It's the way it should be, but athletes are wanted here. So visas shouldn't be anymore of a problem than it always has been and there have always some players that have had issues getting their visas for as long as I can remember.
he said his arm hurt during his start on June 4th...then he tried to pitch through it It's now July 4th and let's all blame the yankee medical staff, right?
