The United States has witnessed instances where individuals, once allowed entry, are now banned from stepping foot on American soil for various reasons.

Over the years various celebrities have been banned from the US and you may be shocked why.

The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Department of State are key players in this process, often rendering temporary or permanent bans based on specific circumstances.

Here is a list of celebrities who have been banned from entering the US:

1. Bovi Ugboma

Nigerian comedian Bovi Ugboma found himself on the list after a clash with a visa-issuing officer, resulting in a labeling that led to his ban.

Bovi had made light of the issue in 2022 when a fan asked him to come to Massachusetts to perform.

2. Lily Allen

Lily Allen, a UK musician, faced a ban due to a criminal conviction for assaulting a photographer in London in 2007.

Allen was refused entry into America when she turned up at Los Angeles International Airport after being held for five hours as a result of an incident. However, the ban was lifted in 2008.

3. Mike Bailey

Mike Bailey, a Canadian professional wrestler, was banned for five years after attempting to enter the U.S. without the correct working visa. Fortunately, the ban was lifted in 2022.

The wrestler had hinted at the ban stunting his plans to work on a bigger platform.

4. Novak Djokovic

Tennis player Novak Djokovic found himself on the list for failing to meet COVID-19 entry requirements and lacking vaccination.

His vaccine waiver request was denied by the Department of Homeland Security.

5. Pete Doherty

British singer Pete Doherty faced denial of entry in 2010 due to drug-related arrests and convictions in the UK, despite having a valid visa.

Doherty was later arrested for cocaine possession and sentenced to six months in jail for possession.

6. Carrie Johnson

Carrie Johnson, wife of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, encountered a ban for visiting Somaliland, an independent country unrecognized by the U.S., according to their policies.

The US does not recognise Somaliland as an independent country, but instead categorises it as part of Somalia.

7. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist from the UK, pleaded guilty to using someone else’s passport to travel to the U.S. in September 2012.

This led to a 10-month imprisonment and a subsequent ban.