A Troubling Customs Debacle: American Couple Detained Without Explanation
American claims they were arbitrarily confined following their reentry from Canada without any stated reason given
Things took a turn for the worse for an American couple during a routine trip back home from Canada. Bachir Atallah, a U.S. citizen of Lebanese origin and his wife, Jessica, encountered a harrowing ordeal at the Highgate Springs checkpoint in Vermont when they were subjected to a secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents.
On Sunday evening, as the couple made their way back home from a weekend family visit, their vehicle was stopped and asked to park at the checkpoint. According to Atallah, he was ordered to hand over his keys, after which an officer placed his hand on his gun and instructed him to exit the vehicle. Alarm bells ringing, Atallah was handcuffed and led to a cell, and his belongings were confiscated. Meanwhile, his wife was detained across the hall, leaving them both in a state of despair.
Atallah's wife was distraught, tears streaming down her face, "Seeing my wife's mascara running because she was crying, it was heartbreaking," admitted Atallah.
Despite questioning why he was being detained, Atallah explained that no explanation was given. He also stated that he was not read his rights. The couple's cell phones were searched, with Atallah providing the passcode when asked.
CBP officials have sinceclaimed that the traveler's accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized, asserting that the officers acted within "established protocols." They added that the couple's inspections were routine, a procedure that happens frequently for any traveler.
The ongoing immigration debate in the U.S., led by the White House's efforts to curb illegal immigration, has stirred fear among both immigrants and citizens. President Donald Trump has also proposed the idea of sending certain U.S. citizens to offshore prisons, a notion experts have deemed as having no legal basis. Atallah, struggling through his ordeal, reported feeling a sense of dread.
As the detention progressed, Atallah began experiencing chest pains and dizziness. Fearing for his health and refusing to leave his wife behind, he requested an ambulance. Medical personnel arrived and evaluated his condition, eventually determining it was safe for him to continue his journey. However, CBP warned Atallah that if he left for the emergency room, he would be returned to the cell and the entire process would start from scratch.
In a desperate attempt to gain assistance, Atallah asked for his lawyer to be contacted. On Celine Atallah’s (the couple's sister and an immigration attorney) phone, a supposed CBP officer left a message later that evening, confirming that the couple was at Highgate Springs and were “safe,” but they would be detained for "a little while." Celine, however, felt a sense of dismay, knowing her brother was seeking help, not reassurance.
By 11 p.m., Atallah and his wife were finally released, expressing their gratitude as they left. Unfortunately, Atallah's current location is in Lebanon as he is visiting family. His experience in the U.S. has left him uneasy, fearing retribution for speaking out about the situation.
The ordeal experienced by the Atallahs serves as a reminder of the potential power imbalances and ambiguities that can arise during secondary border inspections. Understanding one's rights during such encounters is crucial to ensuring fair treatment and proper handling of situations that may feel daunting or unjust.
- Despite providing the passcode to CBP agents, Atallah was still detained without an explanation, causing a heartbreaking scene with his wife across the hall.
- General-news and crime-and-justice outlets have reported an increase in fear among both immigrants and citizens due to the ongoing politics surrounding immigration, particularly the White House's efforts to control illegal immigration.
- During the detention, Atallah requested an ambulance when he began experiencing chest pains and dizziness, but was warned by CBP that he would be returned to the cell if he left for the emergency room.
- In light of their harrowing experience, the Atallahs' situation serves as a reminder for travelers to understand their rights during secondary border inspections for fair treatment and proper handling of potentially ambiguous situations.
