Image Credit: CAIR-Houston

Houston, July 17 (RHC)-- In Houston, Texas, a 22-year-old Palestinian man who was detained by federal agents without charge at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport for nine days was released Monday following mounting pressure from advocates. 

Muhanad J. M. Alshrouf had obtained a U.S. visa before traveling to Texas from the occupied West Bank to reunite with his father, who is a U.S. citizen, and his siblings.  Advocates said he had completed a years-long immigration process and successfully passed rigorous background checks by both U.S. and Israeli authorities. 

Alshrouf was reportedly held in a waiting room, denied access to legal counsel, a change of clothes, proper food or basic hygiene.  Customs and Border Protection agents are typically prohibited from detaining people for longer than 72 hours.

[ SOURCE:  DEMOCRACY NOW ]