A far-right American influencer, facing criticism for her anti-Islam content, has sparked controversy after she was granted travel permission in the UK, ahead of a planned march in London and previous videos showing her burning the Quran.Valentina Gomez, a US-based MAGA influencer who was previously in controversy over anti-Muslim comments, has been granted a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). She is scheduled to appear as a speaker at the “Unite the Kingdom” rally organized by Tommy Robinson on May 16 in central London.In a post on X, Gomez wrote: “Visa approved. See you on May 16 in England. Keir Starmer, Shabana Mahmood and the UK Home Office, you are only good at protecting Islamist rape gangs.”
Try to arrest me and see what happens. England belongs to the English language. Not the family of Muhammad.”Users on social media pointed out that the ETA is not a visa. It is a digital travel pass for visa-exempt travelers, allowing short visits for tourism, study or family purposes. It is valid for two years, costs £20, and allows multiple entries. However, approval does not guarantee entry at the border, and travelers can still be refused entry upon arrival.
Gomez is expected to address supporters at the rally organized by Tommy Robinson, another far-right activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. The event is scheduled to take place in central London locations including Kingsway, The Strand, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Square.Her scheduled appearance has already drawn criticism from campaigners and commentators, some of whom have questioned why she was allowed to travel to the UK at all.
“They need to keep the same energy for this deranged bigot as they did with Kanye West,” anti-racism activist Mukhtar Yassin said on Channel X. Kanye West has faced widespread backlash over his Nazi-related posts on social media.
Indian-origin broadcaster Narinder Kaur also commented, saying: “You (Gomez) will be banned. We do not allow handkerchiefs to enter the country.”Others, including journalist Ika Ferrer-Gotic and analyst Albie Amancona, argued that if other high-profile figures faced entry restrictions, Gomez should be treated in the same way.This controversy comes amid tensions over the “Unite the Kingdom” march and the pro-Palestine march on the same day as Gomez’s visit in London. Security concerns have also been raised due to previous clashes at similar rallies, with police reporting violence including throwing projectiles and assaults on officers during large gatherings involving Robinson’s supporters.
