British Muslim Student Denied US Entry Despite Valid Visa

A 20-year-old British Muslim student, Laith Alani, says he was detained for nearly 24 hours and deported from the United States despite holding a valid 10-year multiple-entry visa.

Alani, a law student at the University of West London, had travelled to Orlando for a one-week holiday to visit Florida’s theme parks and meet a relative. Instead, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers subjected him to hours of questioning, searched his electronic devices and social media accounts, and questioned him about his family, hobbies, neighbours and previous travels.

Alani said he was interrogated for about nine hours before spending another 14 hours in a holding cell. He claimed that he was pressured into signing a document stating that he had voluntarily withdrawn his application to enter the US.

The student believes he was targeted because he is Muslim and has relatives in Iraq. He said his previous travel history, including a trip to Tunisia, was scrutinised extensively.

His local MP, Anneliese Dodds, has raised the matter with the UK Foreign Office, which confirmed that it had provided Alani with consular assistance.

CBP denied allegations of racial or religious profiling, saying that all travellers arriving at US ports of entry are subject to inspection and that officers follow strict procedures. The agency also said inconsistencies had been identified in Alani’s travel history and that he had withdrawn his application for admission.

Muslim and Arab organisations have expressed concern over reports of British Muslim travellers being detained, questioned for extended periods and having their electronic devices searched at US airports.

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