In light of escalating tensions in the Middle East, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) apprehended a significant number of individuals linked to Iran at the border with Canada over the weekend. This action followed the recent airstrike that resulted in the death of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a prominent Iranian military leader, under orders from President Donald Trump. Reports indicate that both Iranians and Iranian Americans were detained at the US-Canada border.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a civil rights organization, released a statement detailing the detention of over 60 individuals who were questioned extensively by CBP officials. These incidents occurred at the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine, Washington, where many were returning from an Iranian pop concert in Vancouver. The organization noted that several other individuals were denied entry into the US, citing a lack of capacity for CBP to detain them.
Those detained had their passports confiscated and faced inquiries about their political beliefs and affiliations. When CAIR reached out to CBP for clarification regarding these detentions, they received no response. One American citizen, a 24-year-old medical student named Emma, reported being held and interrogated for over ten hours alongside her family. Emma expressed her frustration, stating, “We kept asking why we were being detained and were told, ‘I’m sorry this is just the wrong time for you guys.’”
Furthermore, another individual, Alex, a Vancouver resident originally from Tehran, shared his experience of being detained for nine hours. He and his family were on their way to Seattle when a CBP agent noticed Iran on his passport, leading to their prolonged questioning. Throughout their time at the border office, they were repeatedly asked about their education and military backgrounds, creating feelings of confusion and discrimination.
Masih Fouladi, executive director of CAIR-WA, emphasized the troubling nature of these detentions, stating they could be illegal, particularly concerning US citizens. The organization is working to verify reports of a nationwide directive to detain Iranian Americans at ports of entry to provide accurate travel guidance to the community.
In contrast, CBP denied the occurrence of such detentions, asserting that claims of targeting individuals based on their nationality were untrue. Hamed Aleaziz, an immigration reporter, noted that the agency mentioned they are maintaining an enhanced security posture at ports of entry due to the current threat environment.
In addition, the US Embassy in Israel has issued a travel advisory for the region, urging US citizens to remain vigilant amid heightened tensions, reinforcing the importance of security awareness.
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Summary
This report highlights the troubling detentions of individuals with Iranian ties at the US-Canada border, amidst rising geopolitical tensions. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has raised concerns over potential civil rights violations while CBP maintains that no discriminatory actions occurred.
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