WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic lawmakers from Washington are keeping up the heat on the Department of Homeland Security after as many as 60 Iranian Americans say they were held for hours and questioned at the Blaine border crossing last weekend.
In a letter co-signed by Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, 1st District Representative Suzan DelBene, 7th District Representative Pramila Jayapal and 70 other House members, they demanded answers after some said they had their passports taken and were questioned about their “views and allegiances,” while others were turned away because of a lack of space.
The allegations came amid tensions following last week’s killing by the U.S. of a prominent Iranian general in Iraq.
Homeland Security has denied anyone was singled out for questioning.