The Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston) today demanded the immediate release of Muhanad J. M. Alshrouf, a 22-year-old Palestinian man who has reportedly been confined for nine days in a secondary screening room at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)—despite entering the United States legally on a valid immigrant visa.

Alshrouf arrived in Houston on Saturday, July 5 at 4:40 p.m., on Emirates Airlines from Dubai, after completing a years-long immigration process and receiving full approval for a U.S. immigrant visa. He has no criminal record, has never been arrested, and successfully passed rigorous background checks by both U.S. and Israeli authorities. His sole purpose in coming to the United States is to reunite with his U.S. citizen father and siblings and build a future in the country he has dreamed of since childhood.

Since his arrival, Alshrouf has been detained in an airport secondary screening room without access to legal counsel, a change of clothes, proper food, or basic hygiene. Family members report that he remains in the same clothes he arrived in and has received little to no communication or explanation regarding his continued detention.

“This young man legally entered the country with a U.S. immigrant visa, having passed every background check and security clearance. Yet he has been held in a secondary screening room for more than a week without due process or basic human compassion,” said John T. Floyd, a board member of CAIR-Texas Houston and prominent civil rights attorney. “This type of treatment is unlawful, unjustified, and inhumane. We demand his immediate release and access to legal representation.”

“It is unlawful, unjust, and profoundly inhumane for CBP to continue detaining Muhanad Alshrouf. He has now been held at George Bush Intercontinental Airport for nine days, without explanation and access to his attorney. CBP’s own policy requires individuals to be processed within 72 hours. Airports are not detention centers. Yet Muhanad has been subjected to an unconscionable confinement, forced to wear the same undergarments for over a week. Is this the dignity America offers its newest residents? Every American should be outraged,” said Maria Kari, Attorney and Executive Director Project TAHA.

CAIR-Texas Houston is actively working with elected officials and legal partners to ensure Alshrouf’s rights are respected and that he is safely reunited with his family.

Earlier this month, CAIR’s Dallas Fort Worth chapter (CAIR-DFW) welcomed the release of Ward Sakeik, a Palestinian woman detained by ICE as she was returning from her honeymoon with her husband.

The shared mission of CAIR and CAIR-Texas is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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CONTACT: Rawan Harirah, Chair and President of CAIR-Houston, 713-254-2016, rharirah@cair.com; John T. Floyd, Board Member, CAIR Texas-Houston, 713-254-2016, jfloyd@cair.com; Maria A, Kari, Attorney and Executive Director Project TAHA, 205-862-8005, info@mariakari.org