Palestinian Visitors Detained at San Francisco Airport Despite Valid Visas

Humanitarian Guests Expected to Speak at Interfaith Events Face Detention and Deportation

Two Palestinian men who arrived in San Francisco, California, for a peaceful interfaith visit were unexpectedly detained by U.S. Customs officials and are now facing deportation — despite holding valid travel visas.

Arrival Meant for Peaceful Engagement

Eid Hthaleen and Ouda Alhadlin touched down at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Wednesday afternoon. Their visit was part of a scheduled humanitarian and interfaith mission across the Bay Area, including talks at churches, synagogues, and community organizations. The pair had been invited by local organizers to share stories of life under occupation in the West Bank and to foster cross-cultural understanding.

Instead of a warm welcome, they were taken into custody by border officials shortly after landing. By Thursday morning, the two remained detained, with arrangements being made for their return to the West Bank.

Visa Cancellation Sparks Outrage

Both men had valid visas — one recently renewed and the other from a prior visit. Their U.S. sponsor, an immigration attorney and organizer from the Kehilla Community Synagogue in Piedmont, said the men had prepared thoroughly and their documentation was in order.

“This was a straightforward visit,” the sponsor said. “They were coming to speak with faith communities that have supported them for years. Their detainment is deeply unjust.”

The community had eagerly gathered at the airport to greet the visitors, but concern grew when they failed to appear at the arrival gate. Calls were made to various officials, including the office of Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Hours later, the sponsor received a call confirming the men were being deported. He was told he could briefly speak with them before they were placed on a flight.

A Midnight Appeal for Justice

By late Wednesday night, San Francisco District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood traveled to the airport, speaking out against the detainment. “If people with valid visas can be turned away like this, what does it mean for the rest of us?” he said in a statement from the terminal. “This shows how deep the constitutional crisis is becoming.”

The men hail from Masafer Yatta, a Bedouin region in the West Bank that has been subject to ongoing demolition and displacement. One of the detained men’s family homes was destroyed last year by bulldozers.

Community Outcry and Call to Action

On Thursday morning, the San Francisco chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations called for a public rally at SFO to demand the immediate release of both men.

Their sponsor emphasized the importance of their mission: “These men were here to build bridges between communities. They come from a place under siege, and they simply wanted to tell their story.”

As questions mount over why the visas were canceled and who made that decision, Bay Area residents and human rights advocates are demanding transparency, accountability, and — most of all — justice.