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A Welsh schoolteacher was denied entry to the USA while travelling with pupils.

Juhel Miah, a Welsh Muslim, was travelling with a group from Llangatwg Comprehensive in Aberdulais, Neath Port Talbot.

The group had travelled initially to Iceland en route to New York last week.

When Mr Miah boarded the onward flight in Reykjavik on February 16 but was escorted from the aircraft by security personnel.

Whilst the school trip proceeded as planned, Mr Miah's removal from the flight left pupils and colleagues "shocked and distressed".

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council has today written to the Embassy of the United States of America in London to express its dismay at the treatment of one of its employees, who has been denied entry to the US as a member of a school party.

An authority spokesperson says they understand that Mr Miah was refused permission by the United States authorities to fly to New York, despite being issued with a valid visa for travel.

He is described as a "popular and respected teacher" at the school.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are providing support to a British man who was prevented from boarding a flight in Reykjavik."

A council spokesperson said: “We are appalled by the treatment of Mr Miah and are demanding an explanation. The matter has also been raised with our local Member of Parliament.

"No satisfactory reason has been provided for refusing entry to the United States – either at the airport in Iceland or subsequently at the US Embassy in Reykjavik.

"Mr Miah attempted to visit the Embassy; but was denied access to the building. Understandably he feels belittled and upset at what appears to be an unjustified act of discrimination.”

The US embassy has been approached for comment.

The reason for the US refusing entry to Mr Miah is unclear at the moment.

President Donald Trump's travel ban initially triggered chaos at airports around the world, as travellers from seven Muslim-majority nations were stopped in transit.

But the order has been suspended during a court battle and Mr Trump's revised order , which is understood to be being developed at the moment, has not yet been signed.

Neath Labour AM Jeremy Miles said he was "appalled" to hear about the incident.

He said he would be raising the issue with the Welsh Government to ask them to make representations to Central Government.

Neath MP Christina Rees also said she was "appalled" about the incident.

She said: "Mr Miah was subjected to a humiliating and distressing experience, not only preventing him from boarding his plane to New York or entering the US Embassy in Iceland, but also stranding him in a foreign country whilst his fellow travellers continued on their journey. This also led to a potentially serious situation where a risk assessed trip was left with one teacher down, raising questions about the effect on the safeguarding of the children."

She added: "I shall be writing to Prime Minister Theresa May, the UK Foreign Secretary and the US Embassy to raise my concerns and demand a full apology for Mr Miah, Llangatwg Comprehensive School and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council."