Afghan Girls Outshine 67 Countries including U.S. in Robotics Contest

The Afghan all-girls robotics team, who were denied entry into the U.S. outshined 67 countries – including the United States in the FIRST Global Challenge in Washington, D.C.

According to Fox News, the six teenage girls, who were denied U.S. visas twice, finished in 99th place and grabbed silver medals in the “courageous achievement” category.

President Donald Trump allowed the girls – aged between 14 and 16, to enter the U.S. on July 13 after their visa rejections sparked an international backlash.

It is unclear why their visas were denied, but the State Department previously reportedly responded that all applications “are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with U.S. law.”

The first annual robotics competition aims to inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It drew 163 teams from around the globe this year.

 Poland won the competition, while the United States ranked 155th.

Ivanka Trump attended the competition to meet the girls and cheer on the six all-girls robotics teams, including the team from the U.S.