Immigrant Citizen Arrested by CBP After Canada Trip, Voted for Trump
- citizen of 10 years was arrested by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents upon returning from a trip to Canada, sparking outrage and raising questions about border security...
- Bachir Atallah, a New Hampshire real estate lawyer, and his wife, Jessica Fakhri, were returning from a family weekend in Canada on Palm Sunday when the incident occured.
- "I literally drove my car to Canada to spend the weekend and,back,they treated me like a criminal," Atallah told NBC Boston in an interview.
Immigrant, U.S. Citizen for a Decade, Detained at Vermont Border
Table of Contents
- Immigrant, U.S. Citizen for a Decade, Detained at Vermont Border
- Immigrant, U.S. Citizen for a Decade,Detained at Vermont Border: Your Questions Answered
- What Happened to Bachir Atallah?
- Why Was Bachir Atallah Detained?
- What Are Atallah’s Claims About the Detention?
- What is CBP’s Response to Atallah’s Claims?
- What Legal Action is Being Taken?
- Has Border Scrutiny Increased?
- What Rights Do U.S. Citizens Have at the Border?
- Why is this case, and similar incidents, concerning?
- Could This Happen to Me?
- What Can I Do if I am detained at a U.S. Border?
- Is it Illegal to Cross the Border Without Permission?
A U.S. citizen of 10 years was arrested by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents upon returning from a trip to Canada, sparking outrage and raising questions about border security practices.
Bachir Atallah, a New Hampshire real estate lawyer, and his wife, Jessica Fakhri, were returning from a family weekend in Canada on Palm Sunday when the incident occured. Atallah was detained without immediate explanation upon entering Vermont.
“I literally drove my car to Canada to spend the weekend and,back,they treated me like a criminal,” Atallah told NBC Boston in an interview.
Atallah, who acknowledged voting for President Donald Trump in the past, expressed disappointment with the current management’s policies. “I really thought things would change after this administration…that things would improve, [pero] things got worse,” he said.
Details of the Arrest
According to Atallah, a CBP agent instructed him to exit his vehicle, during which the officer allegedly drew a weapon. “He took out his gun,” Atallah recounted. “I said: ‘Okay, I’m going to leave the vehicle, keep the gun at the waist.'”
Atallah claims he was then handcuffed, causing injury to his arm and wrist, and held for approximately five hours. He alleges that authorities did not initially provide a reason for his detention.
He was eventually released after Celine Atallah, Bachir’s sister and an immigration lawyer, was contacted by an agent.
Legal Action Planned
“It’s not about immigrants. Attacks Americans and will chase us all,” Celine Atallah stated, suggesting broader implications of the incident.
The couple intends to file a lawsuit against CBP. The agency, in response to inquiries about the incident, stated that the description of the detention was “exaggerated.”
Increased Scrutiny at the Border
Since President donald Trump took office, agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including CBP, have reportedly increased scrutiny of travelers and expanded questioning procedures at border crossings.
CBP has not commented further on the specifics of atallah’s detention,citing pending litigation.
Immigrant, U.S. Citizen for a Decade,Detained at Vermont Border: Your Questions Answered
This article examines the case of Bachir Atallah,a U.S. citizen who was detained by customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at the Vermont border after returning from Canada, and addresses related questions about border security and your rights.
What Happened to Bachir Atallah?
Bachir atallah,a New Hampshire real estate lawyer and a U.S. citizen for ten years, was detained by CBP agents upon returning from a family weekend in Canada. The incident occurred on Palm Sunday at the Vermont border.
Why Was Bachir Atallah Detained?
the provided article states that Atallah was detained without an immediate explanation from the CBP agents. He was eventually released after his sister, who is an immigration lawyer, was contacted.
What Are Atallah’s Claims About the Detention?
Atallah claims that a CBP agent drew a weapon and instructed him to exit his vehicle. He was later handcuffed, allegedly causing injury to his arm and wrist. He further alleges that he was held for approximately five hours before being released and that the authorities did not initially provide a reason for his detention.
What is CBP’s Response to Atallah’s Claims?
CBP, in response to inquiries, stated that the description of Atallah’s detention was “exaggerated,” as stated in the source article.
What Legal Action is Being Taken?
Atallah and his wife intend to file a lawsuit against CBP.
Has Border Scrutiny Increased?
Yes, according to the source article. It states that as president Donald Trump took office,there has been reportedly increased scrutiny of travelers and expanded questioning procedures at border crossings by agencies within the department of Homeland Security (DHS),including CBP.
What Rights Do U.S. Citizens Have at the Border?
While the provided article doesn’t detail every right, it mentions:
The right to contact your consulate for assistance.
The right to contact a lawyer.
It’s important to be aware of your rights when interacting with CBP.
Why is this case, and similar incidents, concerning?
The article doesn’t directly state all the concerns. However, the incident sparked outrage because a U.S. citizen was detained, and the initial lack of explanation and the reported use of force are concerning. Celine Atallah stated that this could have broader implications, suggesting that these actions might affect other U.S. citizens.
Could This Happen to Me?
This is arduous to answer directly, as the article discusses an isolated incident.Though, the article indicates increased scrutiny at the border. It’s critically important to remember that the Constitution protects U.S. citizens, and you have the right to be treated lawfully, whether you are entering or exiting the U.S. Remember that a ten-year U.S. citizen was detained, so it is indeed a potential possibility.
What Can I Do if I am detained at a U.S. Border?
The source article states you have the right to contact your consulate for assistance, which can definitely help you contact a lawyer or your family. If you have a lawyer, ask CBP for permission to contact your lawyer ([2]).