Reo Explains Why Immigration Won’t Allow Him to Perform In the US Just Yet
Reo explains why immigration won’t allow him to perform in the US just yet. Dario Sebastien, known by the stage-name “Reo” said he was turned back by the US Immigration & Customs because the embassy interpreted his scheduled performance in the United States as “gainful employment” and his current visa class does not cover this.
Reo was billed to perform in Houston on Saturday, October 5, and in Miami on Friday, October 11.
According to the rising Bayou star, he was on Thursday, October 3, on his way to the US but officials at the embassy checked through his phone to find a flyer with his image on it. He explained that he was to perform at a show in Houston and Miami but the officials told him his current visa class does not permit him to travel to the States for gainful employment.
The 25-year-old Colihaut native expressed disappointment at the development and apologized to fans who were waiting to see him in the flesh. He said things could have been worse since the authorities could have barred him from entering the US for many years; but this did not happen and he remained grateful to his stars. He thanked Ms. Judith-Anne Rolle of the Dominica Consulate in Washington DC who mediated on his behalf with the immigration authorities, and this manager Tridel Edwin who was traveling with him to the States.
“I believe that everything happens for a reason and I’m truly trying to find the silver lining in this unfortunate situation,” Reo, known for the catchprase OK BOOM said. “This could still have been a lot worse as I could have been barred for applying for a visa for years, but thankfully, that is not the case. I was given the opportunity to reapply for the proper visa which I intend to do as soon as possible.”
Given his experience at the US embassy, Reo said he will look into setting up an organization to help artistes acquire the proper class of visas and permits to work outside the Dominica.
“I intend to work to develop such an organization,” he said. “Music is one of the best ways to promote Dominica and artist should be empowered by any means necessary to go out there and do just that.”
The talented act said his inability to travel for performance in the US at the moment is not the end of the world, and he will gladly accept any engagement within Dominica and in the European markets pending the time his US visa will be sorted out. Some of Reo’s popular hits include “Sa Ka Bay” with almost two million YouTube views, “Dominica I From” and “Pay Me” which was released recently.
This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767
