An American citizen, Bachir Atallah, has shared a troubling account of his recent experience with U.S. border agents, detailing how he and his wife were detained for several hours upon their return from Canada. The couple was driving back into the United States on a Sunday evening after visiting family when they were stopped at the Highgate Springs checkpoint in Vermont by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

Atallah, who originally hails from Lebanon, described the moment they were flagged for a secondary inspection. He recounted that he was instructed to park his Range Rover and surrender his keys. When he inquired about the reason for this directive, an officer reportedly placed a hand on his firearm and ordered him to exit the vehicle. Subsequently, he was handcuffed and taken to a cell, where his personal belongings were confiscated. Meanwhile, his wife, Jessica, was placed in a separate cell across from him.

Reflecting on the emotional turmoil of the situation, Atallah stated, Seeing my wifes mascara running because she was crying, it was heartbreaking. It wasnt humane. The couple faced distress not only from the circumstances but also from their lack of information regarding their detention.

During their time in custody, Atallah complied with CBP agents' requests and provided them with the passcode to his mobile phone. Despite his repeated inquiries about the reason for their detention, he claimed that the agents failed to provide any explanations and did not read him his rights during the process.

In response to Atallah's allegations, CBP officials issued a statement through CNN affiliate WMUR, asserting, The travelers accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized. CBP officers acted in accordance with established protocols. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the traveler was appropriately referred to secondary inspection a routine, lawful process that occurs daily and can apply for any traveler. This defense, however, did little to alleviate Atallah's distress.

The current climate surrounding immigration policies has heightened anxieties, particularly with the ongoing mass deportation campaigns initiated by the White House, aimed at reducing unauthorized immigration. President Donald Trump has controversially suggested the possibility of sending certain U.S. citizens to offshore detention facilities, a concept that many experts deem legally unfounded.

As the hours passed, Atallah began experiencing chest pains and dizziness, prompting him to request medical assistance. Emergency Medical Services arrived to evaluate him around 8 p.m. Nevertheless, he was informed by CBP that if he chose to go to the emergency room, he would be accompanied by an officer and subsequently returned to his cell, forcing him to make a difficult decision. In the end, he opted to remain in custody to avoid leaving his wife alone.

Atallah's sister, Celine Atallah, an immigration attorney, was contacted during the ordeal. A voicemail was left on her phone close to 9 p.m. by an individual claiming to be a CBP officer, indicating that her brother and his wife were at the Highgate Springs facility, reassuring her that they were safe but would remain detained for some time. Celine remarked, He wanted my help, not to know that hes fine. This highlights the emotional strain not only on the couple but also on their family.

Eventually, Bachir and Jessica were released around 11 p.m. that same night. As they settled into their car to drive home, they expressed immense relief, uttering a prayer of gratitude in Arabic: Thank God were safe.

When reached later for comment, Atallah mentioned that he was in Lebanon visiting family. Given the treatment he and his wife endured, he expressed concerns about returning to the United States. I hope they dont retaliate because Im speaking out, he said, underscoring the pervasive fear that many might feel in the current political climate.