Visa Fee Resolved: Mother of Cape Verde's Star Goalkeeper Finally Heading to US for World Cup

(Central News Agency, New York, 17th, Comprehensive Foreign Dispatches) Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha's World Cup debut thrilled the world, but his mother was unable to witness it in person due to issues with a visa deposit. After intervention by US Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Vozinha's mother can now travel to Miami to watch her son's match on the 21st.

According to comprehensive reports from Reuters and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 40-year-old Vozinha recently gained global fans by single-handedly stopping the World Cup's "Invincible Armada," Spain. After being named player of the match, he stated that his mother had been unable to attend the World Cup due to the high cost of a US visa.

Now, Vozinha's mother, Ana Candida Evora, confirmed to the BBC from her home in San Vicente that travel arrangements for her to watch the game in Miami have been settled.

Evora said, "It all happened so fast, but I'm still very happy. God willing, I will see my son play in the World Cup with my own eyes."

"I will go there to support him, to give him strength and courage," she added. "After the match, I'm going to give him a hug."

US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries strongly facilitated Evora's trip to the US. He said in a statement today, "No mother should miss the opportunity to witness her child make history."

Jeffries stated, "I contacted Secretary of State Marco Rubio and requested that the State Department do everything in its power to ensure his mother could attend Cape Verde's next match."

"I am honored to announce that Vozinha's mother will be able to obtain her visa in time for this Sunday's game. All fees have been waived in accordance with official policy. Arrangements are currently being made for the mother and son to reunite in Miami."

Restricted by former US President Trump's large-scale immigration control policies, citizens of Cape Verde had to pay a refundable visa deposit of up to $15,000 (about NT$490,000) to enter the United States.

This requirement was later waived for World Cup ticket holders, but Evora told Reuters that she had already dismissed the idea of traveling to the US because the cost was too high.

Jeffries said, "Thank you to Secretary Rubio, US State Department officials, the Cape Verdean government, and FIFA for their joint efforts in making this possible."

State Department officials later added: "Our visa team in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, is in close contact with [Evora] and is providing the necessary services."

Vozinha currently plays in the Portuguese second division. He did not join a professional team until he was 25, then played in various countries before finally reaching the World Cup stage at the advanced age of 40. Valued at about 50,000 euros (about NT$1.62 million), he made 7 saves against powerhouse Spain's 27 shots in a single game, forcing a scoreless draw. (Translation: Qu Xiangping) 1150618