UK Muslim student sent back from US after lengthy airport detention despite valid visa

A British university student says he was targeted

A British university student says he was targeted because of his faith when American border officials detained him for nearly a day at an Orlando airport, then flew him back to the UK, even though he held a valid visa.

Laith Alani, a 22-year-old from London, had planned a week-long holiday in Florida, with visits to theme parks and relatives. But instead of enjoying the trip, he found himself in an interrogation room for nine hours and then held in a cell for another 14, before being put on a return flight.

Alani described the ordeal as feeling like a kidnapping, telling reporters that CBP officers questioned him repeatedly about his travel plans and his background, though he had done nothing wrong. He believes the only reason for his treatment was his Muslim identity and British-Palestinian heritage.

The case has sparked fresh concerns about racial

The case has sparked fresh concerns about racial profiling and the treatment of international visitors at US entry points. Civil liberties groups have long criticized CBP for singling out travelers based on appearance or nationality, and Alani's experience echoes similar complaints from other Muslims.

Despite being cleared for travel by the US authorities, who had granted him a visa, Alani was never given a clear explanation for his denial of entry. He said the officers were unresponsive and gave him no chance to appeal or contact his family while in custody.

After his return to London, Alani filed a complaint with CBP and is now sharing his story publicly, hoping to raise awareness of what he calls discriminatory practices. He insists he was not a threat and that his detention was both humiliating and traumatizing.

The US Customs and Border Protection agency has

The US Customs and Border Protection agency has yet to comment on the specific incident, but has previously defended its screening procedures as necessary for national security. Meanwhile, Alani's case has reignited debates about fairness and transparency in border enforcement, particularly under the current administration's stricter immigration stance.

For now, Alani says he will not attempt to travel to the US again, and he warns others with similar backgrounds to be prepared for what he describes as an unjust treatment at the hands of US border officials.