CBP memo appears to order border stops of Iranian Americans, others from Middle East
A Blaine immigration lawyer said Thursday he has obtained what appears to be a photocopied memo from the Seattle Field Office of Customs and Border Protection directing officers to vet Iranian and Lebanese nationals, among others, including people of any nationality who had traveled to Iran or Lebanon.
U.S. Rep Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle, said she was working to verify the authenticity of the memo and has requested an immediate meeting with the Seattle field office director.
Attorney Len Saunders said the memo was left at his office Wednesday in a white, sealed envelope by a man in a hoodie who did not give his name. Saunders said the memo is proof — despite earlier agency denials — of a directive for prolonged stops and questioning of people based on their ethnic heritage over the weekend of Jan. 4. The stops caused an uproar. Most if not all of those stopped — as many as 200 people, according to Jayapal — were American citizens or green card holders.
“Oh my god, this is the smoking gun,” Saunders said of the photocopy dropped off at his office.
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