New Hampshire real estate attorney, Bachir Atallah, and his wife were detained at the U.S.-Canada border without explanation while returning home from a family trip. Atallah, an American citizen, was forced from his car, handcuffed, and treated roughly by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents, despite no clear reason being given for the detention.
Atallah, who has been a U.S. citizen for 10 years, questioned the treatment he received and was denied any information by the officers. He requested medical attention but refused to go to the hospital after learning of the procedures that would follow.
Customs and Border Patrol officers also requested to look through Atallah’s emails on his phone, which he reluctantly agreed to under duress. After nearly five hours, Atallah and his wife were released, and they are now pursuing legal action against the officials involved in the incident.
Atallah’s sister, who is also an immigration attorney, emphasized that this mistreatment is not just happening to immigrants but also to U.S. citizens. Atallah expressed disappointment in the current administration and fears for his future travels, as he is planning to visit Lebanon in the coming days.
Customs and Border Protection responded to the allegations, stating that they acted in accordance with established protocols and that Atallah provided written consent for the search of his electronic device. Nevertheless, Atallah and his family are seeking justice for the ordeal they experienced at the border.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
