Indian city bans begging ahead of Ivanka Trump visit

After President Trump made the announcement back in August that first daughter Ivanka Trump would lead the U.S. delegation to India in November, one Indian city is getting ready for her visit in an unusual way.

Police in Hyderabad banned begging for two months ahead of Ivanka’s visit. Officials said begging was causing a nuisance, as well as becoming a danger to traffic and pedestrians.

The visit is part of a Global Entrepreneurship Summit, a three-day trip that starts on November 28th. Officials say begging in public is banned until January 7th.

They say about 6,000 beggars will be sent to shelters. Those who decide to ignore the ban could face fines or even jail time.

A senior official in the police department said the ban was not tied to the First Daughters visit.

Meanwhile, one activist in India argued the begging ban was cruel because it “criminalizes poverty.”