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Visa Cancellations Spark Outrage for Palestinian Activists

6/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Two Palestinian humanitarian activists, Eid Hthaleen and Ouda Alhadlin, were met with shock as their visas were suddenly canceled by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol upon landing in San Francisco for a fundraising mission. Community leaders and supporters rallied passionately, demanding justice and urging CBP to reverse the decision, as the activists faced detention and imminent deportation without any means of communication.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. Travel Ban, enacted in 2017 under President Donald Trump, restricted entry from several predominantly Muslim countries, leading to over 1,000 detentions at airports. This policy has continued to affect pro-Palestinian activists, as seen in the recent visa cancellations of Eid Hthaleen and Ouda Alhadlin, raising concerns about civil liberties and the U.S. stance on Palestinian rights.

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Story summary

Two Palestinian humanitarian activists, Eid Hthaleen and Ouda Alhadlin, were met with shock as their visas were suddenly canceled by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol upon landing in San Francisco for a fundraising mission. Community leaders and supporters rallied passionately, demanding justice and urging CBP to reverse the decision, as the activists faced detention and imminent deportation without any means of communication.

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