Una Healy and Ben Foden's children are BLOCKED from entering the US to visit their father... as stepmother Jackie Smith SLAMS Immigration Office for 'breaking the kids' hearts'

By Andrew Bullock For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Una Healy's children have been blocked from entering America to see their father, Ben Foden.

The Saturdays singer had handed Aoife, nine, and Tadhg, six, over to their stepmother Jackie Smith Foden after she flew from New York to Dublin to accompany the youngsters on the plane to spend the summer in the US, but after spending hours at the airport, immigration officials refused to let the youngsters travel.

There is currently a ban on EU citizens entering the US, except for in the case of extenuating circumstances.

Airport drama! Una Healy's children - Aoife, nine, and Tadhg, six - have been blocked from entering America to see their father, Ben Foden

Airport drama! Una Healy's children - Aoife, nine, and Tadhg, six - have been blocked from entering America to see their father, Ben Foden

Explaining the situation, American Jackie - whose husband couldn't make the trip himself because he's waiting for his full US citizenship to be granted - wrote on Instagram: 'I currently just spent the past month organising their trips over to the US- getting tickets booked.

'Hours on the phone with Aer Lingus making sure their stepmother can bring them over and booking their ESTAs. Ben can't travel because he is getting his greencard processed and can't leave the country.

'I take the red eye to Dublin last night. When I checked in at JFK the attendants check on the kids return flights. Everyone was made aware of my plans to turn right back around with my stepkids.

'I pick them up in Dublin today only to have their tickets blocked by immigration.

Blocked! Una handed the kids over to their stepmother Jackie Smith Foden [pictured with daughter Farrah] after she flew from New York to Dublin to accompany the youngsters on the plane to spend the summer in the US, but after spending hours at the airport, immigration officials refused to let the youngsters travel

Blocked! Una handed the kids over to their stepmother Jackie Smith Foden [pictured with daughter Farrah] after she flew from New York to Dublin to accompany the youngsters on the plane to spend the summer in the US, but after spending hours at the airport, immigration officials refused to let the youngsters travel

Jackie explained: 'Hours on the phone with Aer Lingus making sure their stepmother can bring them over and booking their ESTAs. Ben [pictured] can't travel because he is getting his greencard processed and can't leave the country'

Jackie explained: 'Hours on the phone with Aer Lingus making sure their stepmother can bring them over and booking their ESTAs. Ben [pictured] can't travel because he is getting his greencard processed and can't leave the country'

Entering the US from the UK: What are the current rules? 

With specific exceptions, several Presidential proclamations suspend and limit entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of noncitizens who were physically present within the following countries during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. 

  • China
  • European Schengen
  • United Kingdom
  • Republic of Ireland
  • South Africa

As further provided in each proclamation, citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States, certain family members, and other individuals who meet specified exceptionse who have been in one of the countries listed above in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter the United State

SOURCE: travel.state.gov

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'An hour at check in trying to get them through and then another 1-2 hours stuck in immigration offices only to be told there is a ban on EU citizens and there's nothing possible we can do other than fly to Turkey or Mexico quarantine for 14 days and then bring them over from there.'

Jackie - who has 14-month-old Farrah with Ben - admitted she and the children were devastated and praised their parents for being able to calm the children down.

She continued: 'Having to break these poor babies hearts who had their hopes up for a fun summer with their dad and sister, we are all not okay right now.

'Una was a rock star with them, they were on the phone with their dad. Both Una and he calmed them down. I am very much not okay and I am a complete mess.'

The family are now looking into options for alternative plans over the summer.

She wrote: 'We will [be] filing for emergency travel for Ben and probably be spending the rest of the summer in England/Ireland when Ben's rugby season is done.' 

Rant! Jackie took to Instagram to rage about the inconvenience

Rant! Jackie took to Instagram to rage about the inconvenience

Jackie - who has 14-month-old Farrah with Ben - admitted she and the children were devastated and praised their parents for being able to calm the children down
She continued: 'Having to break these poor babies hearts who had their hopes up for a fun summer with their dad and sister, we are all not okay right now'

She continued: 'Having to break these poor babies hearts who had their hopes up for a fun summer with their dad and sister, we are all not okay right now'

Una Healy and Ben Foden's children are BLOCKED from entering the US to visit their father

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