In a recent event at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, a well-known Turkish American online influencer critical of former President Donald Trump faced detention and interrogation upon arrival from Paris. Hasan Piker, a Twitch personality with a follower count of 2.8 million, shared his ordeal in an online recount, stating that despite his status as a U.S. native and member of the Global Entry program—designed to streamline customs and passport procedures for low-risk travelers—he was subjected to hours of questioning, which he perceived as politically motivated.
Piker, who is vocal about his liberal political stances and often critiques Israel and the conflict in Gaza, mentioned that he believes his political opinions led to the intense scrutiny. According to Piker, Customs and Border Protection officials queried him about his perspectives on Trump and the situation with Hamas, suggesting an infringement on free speech rights. In detailing his experience through a 40-minute narrative on his YouTube channel, he expressed concerns that the incident was intended to intimidate and suppress public discourse, which, in his opinion, contravenes the First Amendment.
On Tuesday, Piker chose not to discuss the matter further beyond what was covered in his Twitch stream the preceding day. This extensive broadcast echoed his YouTube description and also touched on other subjects, including a recent engagement at the University of Chicago.
Officially, federal authorities countered Piker’s narrative, labeling the interrogation as “routine and lawful,” a procedure that any traveler could potentially experience. Tricia McLaughlin from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rejected the notion that Piker’s political views instigated the inspection, dismissing such claims as mere attempts to garner online attention. She noted that following the completion of his inspection, Piker was released without delay.
Amidst this scenario, the Trump administration’s firm approach towards immigration has stirred anxiety among U.S. citizens and authorized residents as they navigate citizenship processes. Cases of citizens mistakenly caught in immigration raids in states like Illinois and Florida have heightened these concerns. Furthermore, Trump’s labeling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campuses as “anti-American” has attracted criticism, with detractors viewing recent student arrests as attacks on free speech. An instance involved a Palestinian graduate who, while protesting against the Gaza conflict, was arrested unexpectedly during what was described as a citizenship interview.
Federal agencies have declined to provide additional context on Piker’s detention or the reasoning behind the protracted questioning. Known to his audience as HasanAbi, Piker was born in New Jersey and spent his formative years in Turkey before relocating to Los Angeles. He addressed his audience on YouTube, where he has gathered 1.6 million subscribers, asserting, “I’m not intimidated,” and reaffirmed his commitment to his work, declaring his intention to continue his activities without fear.