Democrat calls for Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s mother to get US visa

The minority leader of the United States House of Representatives has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to allow the mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to enter the country and watch her son play at the World Cup.

Ana Candida Evora was unable to travel to watch her son star in a goalless draw with Spain due to the cost of a bond payment for a visa to enter the US.

In January, Cape Verde was included on a list of dozens of countries whose citizens needed to post bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the US, under regulations introduced by Donald Trump’s administration and intended to curb visa overstays.

Last month, Washington announced it was dropping the requirement for World Cup ticket holders, saying it wanted to facilitate “legitimate travel for the upcoming World Cup tournament”. By that point, however, the high costs had already caused Evora to rule out even trying to make the 6,400km (3,900-mile) trip to Atlanta.

“I would have loved to travel and watch the match, but it was not possible,” she said.

Her inability to visit the US to watch her son’s World Cup heroics has provoked a strong reaction.

“No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history,” House of Representatives Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on social media.

“I have asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to do everything in his power to ensure that she can attend [the] next match on Sunday.”