Scotland fans are in a desperate race against time to secure their World Cup travel after the US government revoked their ESTA waivers without explanation. Hundreds of Tartan Army footsoldiers, who had already spent thousands on flights and accommodations, now face the prospect of missing the historic tournament.
Background Check Nightmare
The US authorities have informed affected fans that they must obtain a new criminal background check, known as an ACRO, from the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office. However, these checks can take weeks to complete, well beyond Scotland's opening match against Haiti. Many fans have already booked flights and accommodation, leaving them in financial limbo.
Kenny Smith, a 45-year-old security firm boss from Inverness, is one of those caught in the bureaucratic maze. Despite having no criminal record and passing enhanced security checks for his work with the MOD and Disclosure Scotland, he received a last-minute ESTA revocation. After securing an emergency appointment at the US Embassy in London, he was told he needed an ACRO check, which cannot be processed before his Thursday flight to Boston.
Appeal to the President
Smith, also a member of the folk rock band Torridon, has made a direct appeal to US President Donald Trump, whose mother was Scottish. He said: "I would appeal directly to Donald Trump to make an intervention. I can't think for the life of me that Trump – who is very proud of his Scottish roots – would want the Tartan Army to be treated like this. We have a situation where so many Scots seem to be barred for the World Cup for no reason, and no-one has heard of a single England fan facing this visa hell."
Smith added: "The glaring solution is to allow people who were given last-minute ESTA revocations the chance to apply again. Someone in US immigration – or Donald himself – should surely be able to give the go-ahead."
Financial and Emotional Toll
The ordeal has cost Smith around £15,000, including emergency flights to London. He has been told that trips cancelled due to visa problems are not covered by insurance. "The whole thing has been like a bad dream, where I've been made powerless to speak to anyone who can make a decision that helps me," he said.
Smith's wife, who travelled with him to New York in November without issue, still has a valid ESTA. He wonders if his band membership triggered the problem, fearing officials might suspect he plans to work in the US. "All I'm after is someone to come up with a common sense, human response. I have proof that I have no criminal record and I could not be regarded as a threat to US security. But the computer seems to be saying no, and I really hope someone can overrule it," he said.
Wider Impact and Official Response
The Daily Record has reported that dozens of fans have taken to social media to share similar experiences, with their ESTA status changing from "approved" to "travel not authorised" without explanation. The US Embassy insists on ACRO checks for UK citizens seeking full visas, though most trips use the ESTA waiver designed to simplify travel.
Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary for the US Department of Homeland Security, said: "The Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws. Under the visa waiver programme, all ESTA applications are continuously vetted against law enforcement and security databases. Travellers must provide complete and truthful information, including all criminal history. Failure to disclose arrests or convictions constitutes misrepresentation and can lead to ESTA denial, revocation, or a permanent bar from entering the United States. An approved ESTA does not guarantee admission."
The White House announced in December plans to include social media checks in the travel authorisation process, though it is unclear if this has been implemented. The Daily Record has contacted the US Embassy regarding Kenny's case and other affected fans.
