Share
SEATTLE — Civil rights groups and lawmakers were demanding information from federal officials following reports that dozens of Iranian-Americans were held up and questioned at the border as they returned to the United States from Canada over the weekend.
“Those detained reported that their passports were confiscated and they were questioned about their political views and allegiances,’’ the statement said.
Tensions between the United States and Iran are high following a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad last week that killed a top Iranian general. Iran’s leaders have vowed to retaliate.
Michael Friel, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said reports that Iranian-Americans were detained or refused entry because of where they were born were not true.
“’Based on the current threat environment, CBP is operating with an enhanced posture at its ports of entry to safeguard our national security and protect the America people while simultaneously protecting the civil rights and liberties of everyone,” Friel said in a statement.
Border Wait Times Increased to an Average of Two Hours
He said border wait times increased to an average of two hours Saturday evening at Blaine, Washington, because of increased traffic and reduced staffing because of the holiday season.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, tweeted Sunday that his office was trying to speak with people who experienced problems at the border crossing and was asking federal government officials for more information.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said she was also seeking answers. She planned a meeting Monday with Iranian-American community leaders in Seattle.
Jorge Baron, executive director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, said he went to the border crossing at Blaine on Sunday in response to the reports. He tweeted that he spoke with one legal permanent resident of the U.S. who was detained for 11 hours overnight in “secondary screening” along with about 40 other people who had been born in Iran.
“Bottom-line: despite CBP denials, this was definitely happening,” Baron wrote.
By Sunday afternoon the hold-ups had slowed, he said. He reported meeting with three families — all U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents — who had been delayed as long as 2 1/2 hours.
“ @CBP claims that they were not ‘detaining’ people but this is only true if you define ‘detain’ to mean only to be placed in a locked room,” Baron tweeted. “These individuals were in a waiting area and could walk to the parking lot but were not free to go: They were not being allowed to enter the U.S. (their only home) and CBP was holding their passports so they couldn’t back to Canada even if they had wanted to.”
[activecampaign form=29]
Will the Pacific Coast Highway Reopen for Memorial Day Weekend?
12 hours ago
The Artist Tree Set to Open Second Fresno Cannabis Location
12 hours ago
Fresno Affordable Housing Takes a Huge Hit. State Kills City’s ‘Pro-Housing’ Status
14 hours ago
House Republicans Pass Trump’s Big Bill of Tax Breaks and Program Cuts After All-Night Session
15 hours ago
Judge Blocks Trump Admin From Dismantling Education Department
15 hours ago
Gavin Newsom’s Off-the-Mark Budget Numbers Undermine His Credibility Again
16 hours ago
Meet Petunia. She Makes Hearts Melt With Every Purr
16 hours ago

Stop Making Cents: US Mint Moves Forward With Plans to Kill the Penny

Fresno County Detectives Revive 2017 Drive-By Murder Case

Will the Pacific Coast Highway Reopen for Memorial Day Weekend?

The Artist Tree Set to Open Second Fresno Cannabis Location
