US citizen and his wife detained without explanation after returning from Canada

[Anonymous]

This happened to me several times about 10 years ago. I would arrive at IAD and 2 seconds after they saw my US passport I would get hurried into a room with the door locked and no handle on the inside (maybe fits your definition of cell). They didn't take my phone buy they did lock it into a clear plastic case with an alarm on it Like the type of case they put valuable merchandise in to prevent shoplifting. 30 minutes or so after they would come back tell me all was good and I could leave . . . no explanation. After the third time in a row (over a period of a couple months) I called a friend who was SES level at CBP. He said it was an issue with someone they were looking for having a similar passport number.

I know it isn't what we're looking at now, but it is a data point for comparison.

And since someone will ask, I am male, white, light brown hair, blue eyes and my ancestry in the US goes directly back to the early 17th century.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the article

The traveler’s accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized,” CBP officials said in a statement to CNN affiliate WMUR. “CBP officers acted in accordance with established protocols. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the traveler was appropriately referred to secondary inspection – a routine, lawful process that occurs daily and can apply for any traveler.”

It’s a random stop. I’m as white as can be and had the secondary inspection flagged a few years ago. It’s like the random TSA flag. Not everything is drama.

And you were detained in a cell for HOURS??

Asked and answered. Is reading hard?

b
DP. Your original statement was that you were taken to a building for one-hour. Not a cell and not for hours. And not separated from your spouse who was housed in a different cell.

I’d assume that’s because I was polite and not a MAGA Lawyer going on about his "rights" without actually knowing them.
This will be another case of liberals not waiting for the facts, then looking stupid when the video comes out.

Why do you automatically assume he wasn’t polite? We basically only know his name. Are you assuming based on that that he was rude? That’s a pretty big assumption, that he must’ve been rude, and you’ve been saying it from the beginning based on absolutely nothing.

But even if he had been impolite, does that mean someone should be handcuffed, separated from family, and put in a cell for hours? That seems to be your message.

No, we know he’s a Trump fan, and a Lawyer. I’ve also only said it one time. There are many people that post here, not just me.

[Anonymous]

Sadly not new. Colloquially called the Constitution-Free Zone

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_search_exception

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the article

The traveler’s accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized,” CBP officials said in a statement to CNN affiliate WMUR. “CBP officers acted in accordance with established protocols. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the traveler was appropriately referred to secondary inspection – a routine, lawful process that occurs daily and can apply for any traveler.”

It’s a random stop. I’m as white as can be and had the secondary inspection flagged a few years ago. It’s like the random TSA flag. Not everything is drama.

+1
Yep. They are legally required to randomly flag travelers and send them to secondary inspections - just like the airport. I've been flagged twice by TSA and while not fun, it's certainly not the drama this guy is making it out to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the article

The traveler’s accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized,” CBP officials said in a statement to CNN affiliate WMUR. “CBP officers acted in accordance with established protocols. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the traveler was appropriately referred to secondary inspection – a routine, lawful process that occurs daily and can apply for any traveler.”

It’s a random stop. I’m as white as can be and had the secondary inspection flagged a few years ago. It’s like the random TSA flag. Not everything is drama.

Were you also handcuffed, placed in a cell, and demanded to unlock your cellphone while the agents rummaged through your phone data. If not, STFU you fascist.

Calling me a Facist does not change the fact noting illegal was done here. Educate yourself on the laws before getting offended over something that happens everyday. Mine was in 2014, remind me who was President….

Did you forget you told us that you were not handcuffed and not detained for hours. And you are a fascist for blaming the victim when you make purely speculative assumptions of how the victims reacted towards a fascist state. But of course, you also reminded everyone of your whiteness, so there’s that.

Only to show it’s not race based like you want to assume. You got me, I’m a facist, feel better now?

But it is race based. On a random stop, of which happened to me last year in canada, I was asked a few extra questions. Never asked for my phone and we moved straight on.

I certainly wasn't thrown in a cell like this and the other at least 25 people who came forward in 2017.

We are doing the same stuff under this administration we did back then which is not the same as our random pullovers

Why is it so hard for you to accept?

Because I was stopped in 2014. I was moved to a building, and asked for my phone.

Why is it so hard for you to accept it’s happened for years before Trump?

You’re really exaggerating that “moved to a building” like it was so ominous. And I’m pretty sure you’re lying about them asking for your phone.

DP. How many different people here need to post that they DO ask for your phone, and post links to prove it’s common? Also "moved to a building" you can’t leave from would freak out most people.

I see one person talking about being pulled over for an inspection and trying to compare it to the jailed couple. And once they pull you over you can’t leave whether you go into the building or sit in your car. You work with them to resolve the issue.

I don’t know why we had to pull out of line so they could search our car and interrogate our kids but no jail or handcuffs. And the building is like a small office building. Not scary at all. Especially if you’re White.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the article

The traveler’s accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized,” CBP officials said in a statement to CNN affiliate WMUR. “CBP officers acted in accordance with established protocols. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the traveler was appropriately referred to secondary inspection – a routine, lawful process that occurs daily and can apply for any traveler.”

It’s a random stop. I’m as white as can be and had the secondary inspection flagged a few years ago. It’s like the random TSA flag. Not everything is drama.

+1
Yep. They are legally required to randomly flag travelers and send them to secondary inspections - just like the airport. I've been flagged twice by TSA and while not fun, it's certainly not the drama this guy is making it out to be.

Are you people just plain dumb? You did not end up in jail. Unless you were smuggling something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the article

The traveler’s accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized,” CBP officials said in a statement to CNN affiliate WMUR. “CBP officers acted in accordance with established protocols. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the traveler was appropriately referred to secondary inspection – a routine, lawful process that occurs daily and can apply for any traveler.”

It’s a random stop. I’m as white as can be and had the secondary inspection flagged a few years ago. It’s like the random TSA flag. Not everything is drama.

Were you also handcuffed, placed in a cell, and demanded to unlock your cellphone while the agents rummaged through your phone data. If not, STFU you fascist.

Calling me a Facist does not change the fact noting illegal was done here. Educate yourself on the laws before getting offended over something that happens everyday. Mine was in 2014, remind me who was President….

Did you forget you told us that you were not handcuffed and not detained for hours. And you are a fascist for blaming the victim when you make purely speculative assumptions of how the victims reacted towards a fascist state. But of course, you also reminded everyone of your whiteness, so there’s that.

Only to show it’s not race based like you want to assume. You got me, I’m a facist, feel better now?

But it is race based. On a random stop, of which happened to me last year in canada, I was asked a few extra questions. Never asked for my phone and we moved straight on.

I certainly wasn't thrown in a cell like this and the other at least 25 people who came forward in 2017.

We are doing the same stuff under this administration we did back then which is not the same as our random pullovers

Why is it so hard for you to accept?

Because I was stopped in 2014. I was moved to a building, and asked for my phone.

Why is it so hard for you to accept it’s happened for years before Trump?

You’re really exaggerating that “moved to a building” like it was so ominous. And I’m pretty sure you’re lying about them asking for your phone.

DP. How many different people here need to post that they DO ask for your phone, and post links to prove it’s common? Also "moved to a building" you can’t leave from would freak out most people.

I see one person talking about being pulled over for an inspection and trying to compare it to the jailed couple. And once they pull you over you can’t leave whether you go into the building or sit in your car. You work with them to resolve the issue.

I don’t know why we had to pull out of line so they could search our car and interrogate our kids but no jail or handcuffs. And the building is like a small office building. Not scary at all. Especially if you’re White.

Please you have no credibility. CBP has temporary holding cells at the Canadian border crossings, particularly at local bridge crossings like the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls. These cells are used to detain individuals, including families with children. CBP officials describe holding people increasingly for a number of days or weeks. While CBP doesn't explicitly have permanent, large-scale detention facilities like a prison at the Canadian border, these temporary holding cells are a common practice and similar to a jail holding cell.

It’s a cell where detainees can be placed in restraints or kept locked in. It’s not a waiting room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the article

The traveler’s accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized,” CBP officials said in a statement to CNN affiliate WMUR. “CBP officers acted in accordance with established protocols. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the traveler was appropriately referred to secondary inspection – a routine, lawful process that occurs daily and can apply for any traveler.”

It’s a random stop. I’m as white as can be and had the secondary inspection flagged a few years ago. It’s like the random TSA flag. Not everything is drama.

Don’t lie. They did not handcuff you and put you in a cell.

We’ve been pulled over at that location before. They searched our car and asked the kids their names. No handcuffs or holding cells were used

Secondary inspection. Try and keep up.

Secondary inspection is not being held in a cell. You know that. Why are you putting these lies? Do you work for the Trump?

When a US citizen present your United States Passport, Passport Card, Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI), or an Enhanced Driver's License with photo scan they already have all your information. Everything is searched and flag with AI. They have now added identifying political enemies of the Trump regime or some outside government group’s list to the process.

American citizens are longer allowed to travel freely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the article

The traveler’s accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized,” CBP officials said in a statement to CNN affiliate WMUR. “CBP officers acted in accordance with established protocols. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the traveler was appropriately referred to secondary inspection – a routine, lawful process that occurs daily and can apply for any traveler.”

It’s a random stop. I’m as white as can be and had the secondary inspection flagged a few years ago. It’s like the random TSA flag. Not everything is drama.

When you had your secondary inspection, were you detained for several hours? Were you handcuffed and led to a cell? Were your belongings confiscated? Did the officers ask for your smart phone and password?

It was about an hour, they did ask for phone and passwords. Wasn’t handcuffed, but I didn’t act like an ass. I guarantee this guy did.

What kind of questions did they ask you, out of curiosity? Did they explain why they picked you? Did they hold you in a cell? Just want to be prepared since I travel overseas several times a year…

How long we were in Canada, what was the purpose of the trip, did we buy or sell anything, etc. They said it was a random flag. Not a cell, but was in a building.

I drove back from Canada this past weekend and they asked me those questions from my car window, and it took less than 3 minutes. They ask everyone those questions at the border. What else did they ask you in your hour-long stop?

[Anonymous]

Anyone trying to claim, in the current geopolitical climate, that a name like Bachir Atallah, as with this gentleman and naturalized US citizen from Lebanon, does not increase the risk of interrogation and inspection at the border, is in denial or a liar.

That’s all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like what happened isn’t quite clear with these people. I’ll hold off on making any comments about the case.

I think everyone should take a few moments to learn about your rights when you’re crossing a border. They are not the same as when you’re in the US. If you are going to be traveling internationally, the easiest thing to do is to bring a burner phone.

I think that's a great idea but for most of us, who have smartphones with all our info, a burner phone won't replace a smartphone. I'm not aware of any smartphones that are as cheap as a burner cell phone. Does anyone have more info on this?

If you absolutely must have your phone, turn off pictures that are in the cloud. Sign out of text and email. Delete social media apps.

[Anonymous]

Scrub the phone just to go through customs, in case that wasn’t clear.

[Anonymous]

Muslim in a Range Rover- straight to jail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow the statement from CBP sets off all kinds of red flags. Wonder how many American citizens are being held by CBP right now? CBP can confiscate.property. Who the f would believe CBP about anything. They do not even tell you their real names.

Once due process is a question, the country ceases to exist as a democratic republic. That is Trump's goal and he has CBP and ICE doing the dirty work.

That is why democrats and traditional conservatives are fighting the Kilmer case right now. If HE doesn't have due process, then none of us do.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't say anything against the current administration or Israel and you should have nothing to worry about.

I will not stop criticizing this administrations. I know my rights.

This