LOS ANGELES: Numerous reports have emerged of Iranian-American citizens being stopped at USA airports amid tensions between the USA and Iran.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim advocacy group provided legal assistance to more than 60 travelers who were detained during the weekend and questioned about their political views in America.
Many Iranians were denied entry without prior reasons and lack of information to arrest or detain them, some reports have suggested many are illegally detained by the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
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A family of 24-year-old Crystal was detained for 10 hours in Washington DC, upon reasoning, the officers stated, “It is just the wrong time for you guys.”
CAIR officials stated, “These reports are extremely troubling and potentially constitute illegal detentions of United States citizens.”
“We are working to verify reports of a broad nationwide directive to detain Iranian-Americans at ports of entry so that we can provide community members with accurate travel guidance.”
The CBP officials have denied and disputed the reports stating that the delays were only due to increased traffics as it is an ongoing holiday season and there is a shortage of staff. CBP does not discriminate against citizens based on caste, religion or race.
Reports suggest that CBP officials have been euphemistically or blatantly harassing people of colour for a long time but the current situation is implied on a mass scale.
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