Conservative political commentator Candace Owens is once again allowed to visit New Zealand after immigration officials reversed their earlier decision to block her from entering the country, citing her history of controversial comments and her questioning of the Holocaust.
Late last month, Owens was denied an entertainer’s work permit for New Zealand, one of several places she’s slated to appear for speaking engagements in February and March.
She’s also scheduled to speak at a series of events in several Australian cities, but the nation’s immigration minister, Tony Burke, blocked her entry in October. Burke pointed to Owens’ questioning of certain events that occurred during the Holocaust — specifically whether Nazis experimented on Jewish captives.
New Zealand then followed suit, forbidding Owens from entering the nation under an immigration law that allows a visa denial if the person has already been “excluded from another country.” Owens went on to appeal the decision.
On Thursday, New Zealand Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk announced he’d decided to overturn the ban and grant the right-wing personality her visa. He said he made the decision “after considering representations made to him, including the importance of free speech.”
It’s not the first time Owens has faced backlash for her commentary. Her critics have long accused her of promoting conspiracy theories and antisemitism — views she shares with more than 3 million followers on YouTube. She’s triggered outrage with her opposition to Black Lives Matter, feminism, vaccines and immigration.
With News Wire Services
