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Harvard Student Initially Denied Entry To U.S. Before Classes Has Now Been Let In

Rowers paddle down the Charles River near the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. in March of 2017. (Charles Krupa/AP)
Rowers paddle down the Charles River near the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. in March of 2017. (Charles Krupa/AP)

A Palestinian student originally denied entry to the United States just days before he was scheduled to start classes at Harvard University has been admitted to the country.

The family of Ismail Ajjawi, who currently lives in Lebanon, in a statement Monday said "We truly appreciate the efforts of so many individuals and officials in Lebanon, Washington, Massachusetts and at Harvard that have made it possible for our son Ismail Ajjawi to begin his studies at Harvard."

Ajjawi was denied entry Aug. 23 after spending eight hours in Boston Logan International Airport. The 17-year-old freshman said the denial had to do with politically oriented social media posts by friends.

Amideast, a nonprofit that awarded Ajjawi a scholarship, said the U.S. Embassy in Beirut reviewed Ajjawi's case and resissued his visa.

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