Feds held Muhammad Ali at FLL for nearly 2 hours, attorney says

Muhammad Ali's son claims officials questioned him about his religion

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Muhammad Ali Jr. and his mother, Khalilah Ali, were arriving at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport when officials with the Department of Homeland Security recently separated them, according to their attorney Chris Mancini. 

They were returning home from Montego Bay, Jamaica, where they said they attended a Black History Month event. For about two hours, Mancini said the legendary boxers' U.S.-born son was held for questioning, and the focus was on his religion. 

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Mancini said Khalilah Ali was distraught after customs officials separated her from her 44-year-old son. Mancini said they are going public with their experience on Feb. 7, because they want to find people who might have had similar experiences. 

The Ali family's claim comes amid controversy about whether or not citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries included in President Donald Trump's travel ban pose a terror threat.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection representative released a statement to ABC News saying that they couldn't comment on specific cases, but international travelers were subject to CBP inspection.

 


About the Author:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.