I was asked how long I have been a naturalized citizen

share your #FlyingWhileMuslim story

I have no doubt that I was profiled based on my religion and country of birth by CBP (I have evidence). I was stopped and interrogated twice by CBP and TTRT (Terror tactical response team) upon my arrival back from international travel. I was denied global entry application and when I submitted an appeal and FOIA - I received a very vague response.

1) 2020: First time I was stopped by TTRT and asked many questions. I would like to focus on the fact that I was directly told that the reason I was stopped was that TTRT is interested in me since I am from Lebanon, verbatim: "we don’t get a lot of people landing in Atlanta who are originally from Lebanon and we think it’s a good opportunity to ask questions , if you can give us information , boots on the ground type of thing." The agent also asked about Lebanese political organizations and his boots on the ground reference was for me to provide information about these organizations. To be clear I am a U.S citizen and my understanding of the law is you can't be stopped based on your country of origin. On the same day of the interaction, and after I came home, I wrote down a memo of all the Q&A that occured so I don't miss a word and happy to provide details if needed

2) 2021: I was detained by 2 TTRT agents and taken to a backroom where I was asked a bunch of questions. In summary questions were about Lebanon, my relatives, what area in Lebanon I hail from (i,e trying to infer what my religion is without asking). I was also asked how long I have been a naturalized citizen. My phone was searched which included photos of me in a swimsuit that I would not normally permit strangers to see. I asked what can I do to improve the situation and why am I being detained, they said there isn’t anything that can be done and that I am being stopped due to some other person they are looking into. On the same day of the interaction, and after I came home, I also wrote down a memo of all the Q&A that occurred so I don't miss a word.

Have you ever received a response or resolution from either an airline, airport or government official regarding the discrimination you experienced? If so, what was the response or the result?

I submitted an appeal for my global entry request denial to CBP. The appeal got denied. So I submitted an FOIA to understand the reason for denial and received the following response: "Full Denial Based on Exemptions." I have also shared my story through my Rep. Brenda Lawrence but basically was told nothing can be done regarding my global entry and was also given a very generic response regarding my multiple detainment/ interrogation. I submitted a TRIPS report through a lawyer. I have emails and correspondence to support all of that.

Has the discrimination you've faced made it harder for you to travel? If so, in what ways and at what cost?

Yes, It is hard to be "profiled" and treated as "guilty" when you have done nothing wrong.

My husband and I have suffered great anxiety and are worried I will be detained every time we land at USA port of entry. It is even harder to fathom after you have lived your life being a model citizen and are certain you have done nothing wrong.

I am a reasonably frequent traveler and have a very busy work schedule, the fact that I can not get global entry, puts me at a disadvantage- as I have longer wait times and at a risk of missing flights if there are multiple ones.

My family who are U.S citizens and living abroad have observed my story in horror and are very discouraged to visit me/ their homeland for fear of being detained as well for no reason. This has prevented them from coming to the U.S and has had a profound negative effect on all of our mental health.

What was your reaction to the No-Fly List leak story? how did it make you feel?

Frankly, I am not surprised. If you live close to or have contact with the arab/brown/muslim community and tell your story, everyone knows of someone who is arab/brown/muslim who has been discriminated against in the same fashion/ travel related. It is our society's collective #metoo. It makes me feel discriminated against, that I am not a worthy or equal U.S citizen, that I am not trusted by my own country and that I am a "lower grade" american. They say people are innocent until proven guilty but for us arabs/muslim americans, we are made to feel "guilty" without even the chance of proving our innocence.