Palestinian Harvard freshman denied entry into the US

Palestinian Harvard freshman Ismail B Ajjawi was denied entry into the US after being questioned by US immigration officials at the airport. The 17-year-old was interrogated for hours on his religious practices and his friends' social media posts, which were critical of the US. After being "deemed inadmissible," he was sent back to his home in Lebanon. #USimmigration #Harvard #Palestine

[Scharfschuetze]

Our government decided to protect us for once.

[toysoldier]

A man is judged by the company he keeps.

[PaulKent-hq]

Take accountability for your actions. If you are chatting, or are in groups that are anti american then you are a security risk. Go to college in Lebenon.

[kingkobra]

These people forget that this country can deny entry for whatever reason is feasible. Entry to another country is a privilege, not a right.

[gohesmond]

He need to be blacklisted across europe as well.

[johnsradios]

Liking posts that preach hate should keep you out of a country.

[caltriton]

Don't vote evil arab governments in and you might get more trust.

[cyniqueetsérieux]

he can go to university in a muslim country

[justink]

Being vetted and accepted by Harvard should raise red flags immediately.

[murielscott]

What’s that old saying? You can judge a man by the company he keeps - sounds about right to me.

[susanbonner]

Guilt by association. Don't care if he's going to Harvard or not.

[michaelmalone]

The article said that he was "deported." Nope. He was not deported. He was denied entry for good reasons.

[derekmanthey]

The outrage would be if we let him in!

[nyancatnat]

I wonder if they still do this. It's not just freedom of speech, it's about safety.

[franciscoavendano]

and why are this individuals think they are entitled tho enter a country that therer not citizens of?

[anglophils]

Even though he did not post anti-American sentiment, he SAVED that content. He's not smart enough to go to Harvard, if he did not think to delete anti-American content from his devices, when he's trying to enter the US. That was stupid.

[danielsegalman]

People need to understand that this often happens, and not just to Palestinians. CBP is charged with turning away anyone who might pose a risk to the United States. There are effectively only two filters to screen out potentially dangerous people coming on M1, F1, or H1 visas: an interview with a US embassy and then the screening on arrival by the CBP. Many people are denied visas after their embassy interviews and a relatively small number who get their visas are turned away at the border.

I imagine that the reasoning by the CPB in this case was that even though this guy did not post extremist material, he participated in social circles in which extremist views were the norm.

Remember: 911 happened because people coming here on student visas were not scrutinized closely.

[EliZer-ztkf]

Wonderful.... He can attend Gaza University!

[biglar]

Thanks to border officials. Good job 👏

[theeconomicsofthings]

He’s not the only one. Thousands of others are denied because of social media