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July 29, 2025 – USA/Spain –
Basque journalist Iban Gorriti was denied entry to the United States after arriving at Boise Airport to cover Jaialdi, one of the world’s largest Basque cultural festivals. Gorriti, a reporter and photographer for Spain’s Deia newspaper, landed in Idaho on July 25, 2025, but was detained and questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers before being told he would not be allowed to enter the country. He was forced to return to Spain the following day.
Gorriti had been invited to document Jaialdi, a major event that celebrates Basque heritage and draws tens of thousands of participants to Boise every five years. He had covered the festival before in 2015 and was expected to write several stories and photo essays about the 2025 edition. The reasons for his denial were not made public, and Gorriti stated he was given no detailed explanation beyond general immigration policies.
The incident has sparked concern among Basque-American communities and press freedom advocates. Gorriti is well-known in the Basque Country for his reporting on culture, history, and human rights. In statements shared with KTVB, he said he was treated with suspicion and denied access to his belongings during the overnight detention.
The Basque Museum and Cultural Center in Boise, which helped coordinate Gorriti’s visit, expressed disappointment over the incident. Executive Director Annie Gavica noted that Gorriti had no previous issues entering the U.S. and described his exclusion as “deeply unfortunate.” She said his reporting plays a valuable role in documenting cross-cultural ties between the Basque diaspora and their homeland.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has declined to comment on the specifics of the case, citing privacy and policy rules. However, the agency reiterated its right to deny entry to any non-citizen traveler who does not meet admissibility criteria.
Gorriti’s case adds to growing international concern about the lack of transparency and due process in border decisions involving foreign journalists. Advocates fear such actions may discourage future cultural exchanges and restrict the flow of independent reporting across borders.
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