British Student Alleges Religious Discrimination by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Laith Alani, a 20-year-old British student, claims he was denied entry into the U.S. at Orlando International Airport due to his Muslim faith, despite possessing a valid 10-year multi-entry B1/B2 tourist visa. Alani reported being interrogated for nine hours and held in a cell for 14 hours by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before being deported back to the UK. He stated that CBP officials scrutinized his travel history, particularly a trip to Iraq where he has relatives, and a recent trip to Tunisia. Alani, who is autistic and legally disabled, described feeling 'kidnapped' and threatened with handcuffs, asserting he was profiled because he is Muslim. CBP, however, stated that Alani was deemed inadmissible due to inconsistencies in his travel history and an inability to overcome the presumption of being an 'intending immigrant,' denying any racial profiling. Alani also mentioned he was given a document to sign, which he later learned stated he had voluntarily withdrawn his application to enter, a deci...