British citizen Mohammad Tariq Mahmood was traveling to Disneyland with his brother and their nine children when the U.S. canceled their authorization to enter the country. The family was given no explanation, but speaking with The Guardian, Mahmood said, "It's because of the attacks on America — they think every Muslim poses a threat."
Mahmood's family had been saving for months for the trip to the U.S.; the children were between the ages of 8 and 19. ITV News reports that no one in Mahmood's family has any relation to any terrorist organizations.
In an interview with the BBC, Mahmood said he was taken aside by a British border control official just before his family was due to board the flight — and that the children knew almost instantly what was happening."We were the only family that were Asian, Muslim appearance. It was embarrassing that we were the only family that were taken out," he said. "When they saw me shaking my head, the younger ones started crying. They knew straight away." [The Washington Post]
Officially United States law says travelers cannot be denied admission into the country because of their "religion, faith, or spiritual beliefs." There are, however, approximately 60 other reasons that could bar entry including "health-related" issues, "prior criminal convictions," and "documentation requirements."
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