Eid Hthaleen and Ouda Alhadlin, Palestinian humanitarian activists from the West Bank, were detained and denied entry into the United States upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport. They possessed valid B-1/B-2 visas and were scheduled to embark on a speaking tour organized by the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). MECA’s executive director, Zeiad Abbas Shamrouch, who was present at the airport, believes their detention was politically motivated, designed to suppress their advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Despite possessing valid visas and having previously visited the US without incident, Hthaleen and Alhadlin were subjected to prolonged questioning about their political views and activities in Palestine. They were specifically asked about their involvement in protests, affiliations with political organizations, and opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
After approximately 20 hours, they were informed their visas had been revoked and they would be deported. The US government provided no clear explanation for the revocation, citing only “national security” concerns. Civil rights attorneys are contesting the denial of entry, arguing it violates their First Amendment rights and freedom of speech. MECA views the incident as part of a broader pattern of censorship and repression aimed at silencing Palestinian voices and hindering solidarity efforts within the US.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/06/16/wrae-j16.html