BBC journalist questioned by US border agents, devices searched

Incident Details

Date of Incident: May 18, 2017
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Targets: Ali Hamedani (BBC News)

Border Point: O'Hare International Airport
Stopped at border?: Yes
Target Nationality: Iran

United Kingdom
US Citizenship Status of Target: U.S. non-resident
Denied Entry?: No
Stopped Previously?: No
Asked for device access?: Yes
Asked to display social media?: Yes
Asked for social media passwords?: No
Asked intrusive questions about work?: Unknown
Were devices searched or seized?: Yes

Equipment Seized: Cellphone, 1

Computer, 1
Status of Seized Equipment: Returned in full
Search Warrant Obtained: No
Actor who seized equipment: Law enforcement

May 18, 2017

Ali Hamedani, a reporter for BBC World Service, was stopped in Chicago O’Hare airport on May 18, 2017, two days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning entry to the U.S. for 90 days for individuals from seven countries, including Iran.

The British-Iranian journalist, who said he was traveling on a Media I Visa, told the Committee to Protect Journalists that border agents detained and questioned him for over two hours. Hamedani also said that border agents searched his phone and computer and read his Twitter feed.

The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogues press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected]