Indian-origin American author and entrepreneur Neal Bakshi has alleged that he was detained for questioning by US border officers upon his return from a vacation. Despite using Global Entry, he claimed he was pulled aside for additional screening, with officials telling him it was a random check.
In an Instagram video posted three days ago, Bakshi said he was stopped after landing in the US from Greenland.
Bakshi Questions Security Scrutiny After Screening Encounter
Bakshi, an American citizen and son of Indian immigrants, shared his recent experience with border authorities, describing it as ‘drastically different’ from previous encounters. While he understands the necessity of screening for genuine security threats, he is left questioning if certain groups of Americans face heightened scrutiny compared to others.
The US government has introduced and pursued several changes affecting immigration, visas and entry procedures, while the broader crackdown on illegal immigration has also fuelled debate over how travellers and immigrants are treated at US borders. Officials have said the measures are aimed at bolstering national security and curbing illegal immigration, while immigration advocacy groups argue that even legal travellers, including US citizens and Green Card holders, have reported facing longer questioning and random checks at airports.In recent months, several travellers have shared similar accounts of being pulled aside for additional screening despite holding valid documents or trusted-traveller status like Global Entry. The incident comes amid heightened immigration enforcement under the Donald Trump administration.
