Hasan Piker, Prominent Political Commentator, Questioned by Customs Agents Upon Return to U.S.
Popular online political commentator Hasan Piker, known for his leftist perspectives and significant online presence, reported being stopped and questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Sunday. Piker, a U.S. citizen born in New Jersey, detailed the incident during his Twitch broadcast on Monday, informing his 2.8 million followers about the experience.
Piker said he was taken to a private room for questioning, despite his enrollment in the Global Entry program, which is designed to expedite the re-entry process for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. The questions posed by the CBP agents allegedly revolved around Piker’s political views, specifically those expressed on his social media platforms.
According to Piker, the questioning took a troubling turn when agents began probing his opinions on specific groups, particularly Hamas. He stated that an agent repeatedly asked, "Do you like Hamas? Do you support Hamas? Do you think Hamas is a terror group or a resistance group?" Piker also mentioned being asked about his views on former President Donald Trump and whether he had any contact with Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Houthis.
Piker described the interaction as "cordial" in tone, but he expressed serious concerns about the intent behind the questioning. He believes the interrogation was an attempt to intimidate him and others who hold similar political views, potentially leading them to self-censor their opinions.
"They straight up tried to get something out of me that I think they could use to basically detain me permanently," Piker said on his stream. "The reason for why they’re doing that is I think to try to create an environment of fear to try to get people like myself or at least others that would be in my shoes that don’t have that same level of security to shut the (expletive) up."
He added, "I’m gonna use the privilege that I have in that moment to try and see what the (expletive) they’re doing."
At the time of the incident, Piker was returning to the United States to speak at the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago. He had spent the weekend in France, where he interviewed French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
As of Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection had not responded to USA TODAY’s request for comment regarding the incident.
Piker’s detention and questioning come amidst growing scrutiny of similar actions taken by federal agents against activists and university students across the United States, particularly those involved in pro-Palestinian activism.
In March, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian refugee who helped lead pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the university, was detained by federal agents. He was reportedly accused of engaging in activities aligned with Hamas.
Later that month, Tufts University international graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk was detained by federal agents after she co-wrote a pro-Palestinian opinion piece. She was subsequently released on bail after a federal judge in Vermont determined that the government did not present sufficient evidence to justify her indefinite detention.
Another Columbia University student, Mohsen Mahdawi, was detained on April 14 while arriving for a naturalization interview. He was held in a detention center in Vermont but was later freed following a ruling by a federal judge in Vermont.
These cases, including Piker’s experience, have raised concerns about potential targeting of individuals based on their political views and the potential chilling effect on free speech and activism, particularly in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critics argue that these detentions and interrogations could be seen as an attempt to suppress dissent and silence voices critical of certain government policies or foreign entities.
The incidents also raise questions about the scope of CBP’s authority and the extent to which political beliefs can be considered relevant during border stops and security screenings. Civil liberties advocates argue that such questioning can violate individuals’ rights to freedom of speech and association.
The lack of immediate comment from U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding Piker’s case has fueled further speculation and concern. Many are calling for greater transparency and accountability regarding CBP’s practices, particularly when it comes to the detention and questioning of U.S. citizens and legal residents. The situation continues to develop as more information emerges regarding these incidents and their potential implications for civil liberties and political expression.
