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Hasan Piker Detained at U.S. Border, Questioned About Political Views

The Twitch streamer alleges CBP agents interrogated him on Trump, Gaza, and militant groups, raising concerns about free speech violations.

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 20: Hasan Piker speaks onstage during Politicon 2018 at Los Angeles Convention Center on October 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Politicon)

Overview

  • Hasan Piker, a prominent progressive commentator, was detained at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on May 11 despite being enrolled in the Global Entry program.
  • Piker claims U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents questioned him for two hours about his views on President Trump, Hamas, and Israel, which he argues violated his First Amendment rights.
  • CBP and the Department of Homeland Security deny targeting Piker for his political beliefs, describing the inspection as routine and lawful.
  • Civil liberties organizations, including Defending Rights & Dissent, have condemned the incident as an abuse of power and a chilling tactic against free speech.
  • The controversy highlights broader concerns about the Trump administration's intensified scrutiny of activists and commentators critical of U.S.-Israel policies and its immigration agenda.