President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Wrestling Federation (IRIWF), Alireza Dabir, says he has already returned his US green card to American immigration authorities, citing opposition to Washington�s policie
�I received a green card at the Sydney�(2000)�Olympic�Games, just like many other athletes, in the belief that we would study in the States. A large number of sportsmen and women got their own green cards in the 1990s and 2000s. I never used mine and abandoned it a few years ago,� he told a news conference in Tehran earlier this week.
He added, �Does a green card holder need to go to a US embassy to get a visa?�Reception of a US green is very different from obtaining US citizenship at a naturalization ceremony, where the applicant takes the�Oath of Allegiance. I returned my green card seven years ago."

Dabir stressed that Iran's national�freestyle�team�would not participate in the forthcoming wrestling dual meet with its American counterpart, slated to be held in Arlington,�Texas,�on February 12, in case even one member of Iran�s squad is denied the entry visa.

�We hereby send out our invitation to the US team to travel to Iran. We will issue their visas upon arrival at airport,� he said.

Dabir also slammed the degrading treatment of immigration officials at the US Consulate General�in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, towards an IRIWF member.
�I wrote strongly worded letters addressed to the consulate and the USA Wrestling. One of our companions was held [at the mission] for approximately 5 hours. How such a treatment could be justified before a friendly wrestling meet?� he said.
Earlier this month, Fox News Digital claimed in a report that Dabir, who won a gold medal in freestyle?wrestling at�the�Olympics�in�Sydney, is a holder of a US Green Card, and yet urged "Death to America"?in a?television interview.

�We always chant �Death to America� but importantly is showing it in action,� the Iranian wrestling federation chief said in the interview broadcast on January 5.

�A doctor [in Iran], he might even be wearing a tie, but he is doing his job well. He is saying �Death to America.� Some talk a lot but don�t do much. We need to prove it [Death to America] with an action.�

 

By PRESSTV