Iranian Americans being held at BC, CA/Blaine WA border

[WOT?*]

I wasn't sure whether this should be attached to the thread discussing the Soleimani assassination, another post or elsewhere so I thought I'd give it it's own post. CAIR is working with the NWIRP (NorthWest Immigrants Rights Project) in resolving this. ETA: And now our Governor Inslee is addressing the issue.


Iranian Americans being held at BC, CA/Blaine WA border 

www.cair.com/breaking_cair_wa_assisting_iranian_americans_detained_u_s_border?fbclid=IwAR1ew0W2oLd9C6KYIZoHqk6updj-x1jnwDc-kBcKlMNItiF5IbEIuMnB8ug

The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) is assisting more than 60 Iranians and Iranian-Americans of all ages who were detained at length and questioned at the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine, Wash.


Many more were reportedly refused entry to the United States due to a lack of capacity for Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to detain them.

Other Iranian-Americans are about to cross the Peace Arch Border as they return back to their homes in the United States from an Iranian pop concert that was taking place on Saturday in Vancouver, Canada.


Those detained reported that their passports were confiscated and they were questioned about their political views and allegiances. CBP officials contacted at the Blaine Port of Entry provided no comment or reasons for the detentions.


(more at link)

I've been through that crossing multiple times when I went to Vancouver to see Michelle Obama speak and to see Hillary Clinton speak and to attend a concert and to basically just visit and check things out. I've bought a shitton of stuff in Vancouver and at the duty free store. I was waved through every. single. time. Coming *and* going.

[sonrisa]

This issue also on the LG44 Immigration feed. People are being detained at LAX as well.

[Aquatica]

Thank you for sharing this. This is horrible. I didn't expect to see this from the WA/BC border. Like you, I've crossed here and didn't have much of an issue since I had all the required paperwork/documents. Less than 10 mins each way.

I hope this blows up on the news and it stops. 10 hours for detaining and questioning? Wtf?

[pink]

Jan 5, 2020 19:31:39 GMT -5 Aquatica said:

Thank you for sharing this. This is horrible. I didn't expect to see this from the WA/BC border. Like you, I've crossed here and didn't have much of an issue since I had all the required paperwork/documents. Less than 10 mins each way.

I hope this blows up on the news and it stops. 10 hours for detaining and questioning? Wtf?

Our border crossing can be notoriously difficult for anyone non-white, even US citizens. I’ve had my car searched when driving with coworkers (never on my own). Blatant racism from the border patrol agents.

This is a nightmare. I’m terrified and in a rage for my Iranian friends.

[DesertMoon]

My dad was here (Toronto) and left today at 2:30 PM to go back to Detroit via blue water bridge. When I heard about the Iranians being detained I called my dad since hes Iraqi born even though hes been a US citizen for like 37 years, even though hes served the military for 4 years under Obama in Iraq, sure enough his vehicle was searched and he was questioned for 35 mins. It never happened to him before so he was suprised. They always say oh ya but they cant do anything to US citizens no matter where they're from...well..he can do anything and he probably will.

[aurora]

Ugh, this is terrible. I wish I could say I'm shocked but 45 uses every opportunity to promote hate.

[SusanBAnthony]

My H has an American citizen Iranian co-worker who is in Iran right now for the holidays. She is supposed to fly home today or tomorrow. We are hoping she makes it ok. Before reading this we were only a little worried. Now I wonder if we should be more worried.

[jamaicam]

Shit. I'm sorry for those of you who are personally affected by this

[downtoearth]

DesertMoon, your poor dad.

I was wondering if there was any update on detaining Iranian or middle eastern US Citizens yet.

[WOT?*]

Jan 6, 2020 14:30:06 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

DesertMoon , your poor dad.

I was wondering if there was any update on detaining Iranian or middle eastern US Citizens yet.

From what I've read, those that were "not detained" (per the CBP) were released to go home, after up to 10-12 hours of "not being detained" by CBP.

DesertMoon I hope your dad has safe travels and a non-problematic return.