The National Iranian American Council is questioning why as many as 60 people of Iranian background were reportedly detained at the Peace Arch border crossing and other ports of entry last weekend as they attempted to cross from Canada into the United States.

The NIAC said some individuals 91裸聊视频� who were reportedly headed back to the U.S. after attending a Persian pop concert in Vancouver 91裸聊视频� were held in detention for up to 16 hours at the Peace Arch crossing and subjected to questioning as a result of their national heritage.

91裸聊视频淲e are still in the information-gathering stage, and cannot confirm details independently,91裸聊视频� NIAC wrote to Peace Arch News on Sunday.

The reported border delays follow a pledge of retaliation from Iran after the U.S. killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike Friday in Baghdad.

Passengers travelling into the U.S. by air have reported similar experiences.

Iranian-Canadian Ali Kashani, from Vancouver, told PAN he was subjected to secondary-screening Saturday when flying to San Francisco from the Vancouver International Airport.

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91裸聊视频淚 could tell something was up because I wasn91裸聊视频檛 able to check in online prior to arriving at the airport. I fly this route almost every week,91裸聊视频� Kashani wrote to PAN.

When Kashani arrived at YVR, he said he was put through additional airport screening. Once he passed through customs, officials from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sent him to a separate room for additional questioning, he said.

91裸聊视频淭he room was empty when I got there, but as I sat there were more Iranians (and only Iranians) were brought in. In my case, I have Nexus as well as the much coveted O1 visa (the so-called Einstein visa). So after 10 minutes they came back with my passport and let me leave. No interview or anything,91裸聊视频� Kashani wrote.

US Customs and Border Protection spokesperson Michael Friel told PAN via email Monday social media posts indicating that CBP is detaining Iranian-Americans and refusing them entry into the U.S. because of their country of origin are false. Reports that the Department of Homeland Security/CBP has issued a related directive are also false, he said.

The statement provided by CBP also included background information, stating that 91裸聊视频淐BP does not discriminate based on religion, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.91裸聊视频�

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91裸聊视频淏ased on the current threat environment, CBP is operating with an enhanced posture at its ports of entry to safeguard our national security and protect the American people while simultaneously protecting the civil rights and liberties of everyone,91裸聊视频� the statement reads.

However, Kashani called the statement, 91裸聊视频渃omplete nonsense.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淭hey were clearly targeting us at multiple borders, one way or another,91裸聊视频� Kashani said.

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Following social media reports of the detentions, NIAC launched a social media campaign to connect with American-Iranian travellers who were detained at the Peace Arch border.

NIAC president, Jamal Abdi, said on Twitter that his organization has talked to Iranian-Americans detained for 12 hours at borders and airports. He said they were asked about their views on the political situation with Iran.

91裸聊视频淎 historian and American citizen were taken to a 91裸聊视频榮pecial side room91裸聊视频� after landing at JFK Airport and asked 91裸聊视频榟ow I feel about the situation in Iran.91裸聊视频� He was subsequently released after questioning,91裸聊视频� NIAC reported.

91裸聊视频淭here are additional unconfirmed reports of problems at San Francisco Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).91裸聊视频�

In a statement issued to PAN, NIAC said the common denominator of the reported weekend detentions at ports of entry is Iranian heritage.

91裸聊视频淲hich should raise immediate concerns of discriminatory and illegal actions targeting on the basis of national origin,91裸聊视频� the statement reads.

Washington State Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib issued a statement saying he91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频渄eeply concerned91裸聊视频� about the reports his office has received regarding U.S. citizens of Iranian descent being held at the Peace Arch border.

91裸聊视频淢y office is working as quickly as possible to gather information and to direct those being impacted to resources. In the absence of any official statement on this as of yet, it is critical that Customs and Border Protection immediately clarify this drastic change in policy,91裸聊视频� Habib91裸聊视频檚 statement read.

We have talked to Iranian Americans detained for 12 hours at borders & airports this weekend, asked about views on political situation with Iran, etc. Care to explain, provide any clarity for Iranian Americans coming home from holiday travel? Or does it have to happen in court?

91裸聊视频� Jamal Abdi (@jabdi)

Wash. Governor Jay Inslee tweeted that Homeland Security has informed his office that they did not issue an order to detain or refuse entry to Iranian Americans.

91裸聊视频淲ashingtonians, who happen to be Iranian-American, were detained at the Canadian-U.S. border because of their ethnicity or country of origin. @CBP91裸聊视频檚 denial of these reports are simply not credible. these were detentions, and that is unacceptable,91裸聊视频� Inslee tweeted.

Washingtonians, who happen to be Iranian-American, were detained at the Canadian-U.S. border because of their ethnicity or country of origin.
91裸聊视频檚 denial of these reports are simply not credible.

These were detentions, and that is unacceptable.

91裸聊视频� Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee)