HOUSTON – A Houston family wants answers after their son, who is Palestinian, was held for more than a week in a screening room at Bush Airport after arriving in the country.
Muhanad Alshrouf, 22, recently reunited with his father, but his attorney tells KPRC 2 he landed in Houston on July 5th with his visa paperwork in order.
He was sponsored by his father, who is a U.S. Citizen and has lived in Houston since 2006.
The Council of American Islamic Relations in Houston and Alshrouf’s attorney say U.S. Customs and Border Patrol never told him why he was being held or why he was suddenly released after nine days.
“This young man legally entered the country with a U.S. immigrant visa, having passed every background check and security clearance. Yet he has been held in a secondary screening room for more than a week without due process or basic human compassion,” John T. Floyd, a board member of CAIR-Texas Houston and prominent civil rights attorney. “This type of treatment is unlawful, unjustified, and inhumane. We demand his immediate release and access to legal representation.”
“It is unlawful, unjust, and profoundly inhumane for CBP to continue detaining Muhanad Alshrouf,” Maria Kari, Attorney and Executive Director of Project TAHA, said. “Airports are not detention centers. Yet Muhanad has been subjected to an unconscionable confinement, forced to wear the same undergarments for over a week. Is this the dignity America offers its newest residents? Every American should be outraged.”