politics
British Muslim student with valid visa refused entry to US after 23-hour detention
Laith Alani, who had booked week-long trip to visit theme parks and family, believes US border force profiled him on arrival in Orlando
TL;DR
- Laith Alani, a British law student, claims he was detained for nine hours and interrogated for another 14 hours by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Orlando international airport.
- He believes he was profiled for being Muslim and was coerced into signing a document withdrawing his application to enter the US.
- Alani had a valid 10-year multi-entry US tourist visa, but was refused entry after his travel history, including a trip to Iraq and Tunisia, was scrutinized.
- US authorities stated "inconsistencies were identified" in his travel history and he "withdrew his application for admission."
- Muslim and Arab organizations have raised concerns about the treatment of travelers to the US, citing similar incidents of detention and interrogation.