America has banned a 21-year-old Syrian behind an Oscar nominated documentary from entering the country.

Khaled Khatib did most of the filming for a British movie called The White Helmets.

It’s a 40 minute Netflix documentary about the Syrian Civil Defence, volunteers who risk their lives to rescue civilians, reports the BBC.

It’s widely thought to be one of Britain’s best chances for an Oscar in the short documentary category.

Khaled Khatib is part of the The White Helmets group (because they wear white helmets) and he helped film the organisation which operates in parts of rebel controlled Syria.

The country is in the midst of a bloody war which has killed an estimated 500,000 and a further 11 million have either fled their homes or the country.

Khaled Khatib was supposed to be flying in to America for the 89th Academy Awards from Turkey.

But before he got on his plane US Officials reported finding derogatory information about Khatib.

That’s an official term that can mean anything from terror connections to passport irregularities.

The Department for Homeland Security has given a comment saying: “A valid travel document is required for travel to the United States.”

BDST: 2058 HRS, FEB 25, 2017
SR