# Sali Berisha US diplomatic travel and Albanian unrest > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sali-berisha-us-diplomatic-travel > Updated: 2026-09-10T16:35:17.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 4. Sali Berisha, leader of the Democratic Party of Albania, has been granted a United States visa following the removal of his ‘non grata’ status. The status had been imposed by the U.S. Department of State in May 2021 due to allegations of corruption and interference in public processes. Berisha traveled to the United States to attend a Republican conference in Dallas as part of an International Democratic Union delegation. He described the journey as a “trip of the years for Albania,” intending to meet with allies to discuss the nation's political landscape. During his visit, Berisha criticized the administration of Edi Rama, labeling it an “authoritarian dictatorship” and alleging involvement in crime and corruption. During his ongoing U.S. visit, Berisha has expanded his engagement with American political figures. In Texas, accompanied by Fatmir Mediu, he met with several high-profile individuals, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, RNC Chairman Joe Gruters, Senator James Lankford, and Congressmen Kevin Hern and Pete Sessions. He also met with Ed Martin, a Department of Justice representative appointed by Donald Trump. Berisha was honored with the ‘Key to the City’ of Mesquite, Texas, by Mayor Daniel Aleman. He has maintained that his previous ‘non-grata’ status was the result of “corrupt lobbying by Edi Rama and George Soros.” Concurrently, political tensions in Albania have escalated into the country’s longest continuous protest in history. Reaching the 100-day mark in Tirana, the demonstrations—dubbed the ‘Flamingo Revolution’—were initially sparked by opposition to a luxury construction project in the Zvërnec and Nartë lagoon areas linked to interests involving Jared Kushner. The movement has since evolved into a broader revolt against Prime Minister Edi Rama, with protesters demanding his resignation. Amidst the unrest, former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj praised the protests as a “national awakening.” ## Claims - Protests in Tirana have reached their 100th day. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Berisha met with the Albanian-American community in New Jersey. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Berisha stated that he was previously denied entry to the United States. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Berisha described the Albanian diaspora in the United States as the 'white fate' of the Albanian nation. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Demonstrators are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The protests began as opposition to a luxury construction project in the Zvërnec and Nartë lagoon areas. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Berisha claimed that individuals who orchestrated deceptions against him are currently 'non grata' in their own country. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Berisha credited the Albanian diaspora with contributing to the overthrow of communist dictatorship in Albania and the fight for Kosovo's freedom. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Sali Berisha meets US Republican leaders in Texas Albanian Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha is visiting the US, meeting Republican officials in Texas and receiving the Key to the City of Mesquite while addressing his previous non-grata status. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sali-berisha-meets-us-republican-leaders-in-texas ### 2026-09-06: Albania protests reach 100 days as Sali Berisha visits US diaspora Albania faces 100 days of continuous protests in Tirana over environmental concerns and government corruption, while opposition leader Sali Berisha meets with the diaspora in New Jersey. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sali-berisha-meets-with-albanian-diaspora-in-new-jersey ### 2026-09-04: Sali Berisha arrives in the US for first visit in five years Albanian Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has arrived in the US for his first visit in five years, following the lifting of travel restrictions, to meet with the diaspora and international political allies. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sali-berisha-travels-to-the-united-states ### 2026-08-31: Sali Berisha granted US visa for upcoming trip to Texas Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha has received a US visa and plans to travel to Texas in early September to attend a Republican conference as part of an International Democratic Union delegation. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sali-berisha-granted-us-visa-after-non-grata-status-lifted --- Cite as: Sali Berisha US diplomatic travel and Albanian unrest. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sali-berisha-us-diplomatic-travel