A Montrealer whose American cousin would have been detained without reason by the customs officers on his return to the country is now afraid of traveling to the United States.
“We didn’t think it could happen to someone and he’s American. We are Canadian, so it can be worse even, “worries Merched Fakhry.
The Montrealer who works in a Laval vineyard is the cousin of Bachir Atallah, an American lawyer who has been doing the heads of American and international media for a few days for being detained on the border.
On April 12, Mr. Atallah and his wife, Jessica, returned from a stay in the Montreal region to visit the family when he was handcuffed and placed in a cell for several hours by American customs officials.
Bachir Atallah, Merched Fakhry Nayla Fakhry and Jessica Attallah (Femme de Bachir). Photo provided by Merched Fakhry.
Cell in cells
“They twisted my arm. I was separated from his wife, who was in another cell. I was afraid. I was not explained to me what was going on, ”said Journal M. Atallah.
The resident of the new Hampshire, still shaken by the events, affirms that the agents “voluntarily inflicted emotional distress” to his wife and him.
“We asked for coats and they gave us plastic tables. My wife asked them where I was and they said they didn’t know who she was talking about. It was very scary. “
The American says he has been forced to show the content of all his devices, including his professional emails protected by the privilege of the lawyer’s professional secrecy, so that we can leave.
He says he could never know why the authorities targeted and detained. Man from Lebanon cannot help but think that his name with Arabic sounds is there.
-“It’s one thing to select someone for a more in-depth inspection, but it is another to treat them like an animal,” he laments.
Merched fakhry et sa femme nayla fahry. Photo provided by Merched Fakhry.
“It worries us 100%”
The story of Mr. Atallah is added to a series of horror stories with the American border authorities since the return to power of Donald Trump.
“It worries us 100%. We did not believe that it could happen to someone and, he is American, lawyer and knows his rights. We are Canadian, so it can be worse even, ”anxious his Quebec cousin Merched Fakhry.
The latter also wonders what to expect for his trip to New York scheduled for the coming weeks.
“It’s new as a feeling. I have traveled several times by car or by plane, and it has always been well, ”continues Mr. Fakhry.
Bachir Atallah, who now fears each passage to the border, believes that his history must serve as a warning to the Canadians.
“Canadians who go to the United States must expect to be selected to be searched, and even more,” he said.
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