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Trump border policies and cuts impact Seattle International Dance Festival

The Trump Administration's border policies and staffing cuts threatened to keep some dancers from coming to the Seattle International Dance Festival.

The festival organizer says up until a few days ago several dance companies were having trouble getting visas to come to the U.S. and perform.

Cyrus Khambatta said Congresswomen Pramila Jayapal's office had to intervene at the last minute to help push the paperwork through-- and there is still one performer who may not get approved.

“It just makes it's hard for me when I reach my arms out and say at the same time: ‘But you're going to have to jump through 16-thousand hoops to get here,’” Khambatta said. “It is frustrating."

This year's festival runs June 9th-25th with a special kick-off event at noon June 3rd in South Lake Union's Denny Park.