The so-called “Muslim Ban” strikes again, this time against Muhammad Ali’s son, who was apparently held up for being Muslim.
Muhammad Ali Jr., returning back to the US from a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica, claims he was illegally detained at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Arriving at the airport with his Mother, Ali’s first wife Khalilah, Ali Jr., was detained by immigration officers for two hours, peppering him with questions about his full name, birth date and even his religion.
His Mother was not held after showing a picture of her and Muhammad Ali Sr.
According to Chris Mancini, a friend of the family and a former federal prosecutor, this was completely wrong.
“What right does the United States have to inquire about somebody’s religion when they enter the country?” Mancini says. “There was no other basis for a secondary inspection. This is an instance where the ban has been enforced even though it has been thrown out. The government is still trying to find grounds to keep Muslims out.”
“This is an outrage,” says Mancini, a former federal prosecutor and friend of the family. “I don’t know what is going on with Mr. Trump’s claim that his ban is not religion-based. We do not discriminate in this country based on religion.”
When pressed on the issue, Norma Morfa, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), declined to comment on this case. “Due to the restrictions of the Privacy Act, U.S. Customs and Border Protection cannot discuss individual travelers; however, all international travelers arriving in the U.S. are subject to CBP inspection,” she told New Times via email.
But after two hours of being held and questioned repeatedly, which included being asked about his religion more than once, one can only assume why Muhammad Ali Jr. was stopped and held. Oh, and he had a US passport.
The Muslim Ban strikes again.
