By BlogHear News Team | May 13, 2025 | BlogHear.com
Chicago, IL — Popular political commentator and streamer Hasan Piker says he was held for hours by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport over his political views, raising concerns about free speech and government overreach.
Piker, who has built a following of over six million across platforms including Twitch, Instagram, TikTok, and X, made the claim after returning from France on Sunday. Known for his outspoken pro-Palestinian stance and frequent criticism of former President Donald Trump, Piker suggested the questioning was politically motivated.
“Very Obvious They Knew Who I Was”
Describing the experience on social media, Piker said, “It was an insane situation. It’s very obvious they knew exactly who I was.” He added that although the questioning was conducted in a “cordial” manner, he found the topics—including his opinions on Trump, Israel, the Houthi rebels, Hamas, and previous bans from Twitch—unusual and troubling.
“It was a really interesting conversation that took place,” he said. “Not a very warm welcome.”
U.S. Officials Deny Political Targeting
In response, U.S. officials dismissed claims that Piker was singled out due to his political beliefs. CBP released a statement saying: “Our officers are following the law, not agendas,” and confirmed that Piker was “promptly released” after a lawful and routine inspection.
Tricia McLaughlin, a government spokesperson, went further, accusing Piker of “lying for likes” in a post on X. “Claims that his political beliefs triggered the inspection are baseless,” she wrote.
Broader Debate on Free Speech and Political Expression
Piker’s claims come amid growing scrutiny of how U.S. authorities handle politically outspoken figures—especially those who have expressed support for Palestine.
The streamer linked his experience to other recent high-profile detentions, including that of student protesters Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk. Both were detained by immigration authorities following demonstrations in support of Gaza, drawing accusations that the U.S. is cracking down on dissent under the guise of combating anti-Semitism.
The White House has stated it remains committed to “enforcing immigration laws” and removing individuals who pose “serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” However, critics argue that the crackdown risks infringing on constitutional protections for speech and political expression.
A Chilling Effect?
Speaking further on the issue, Piker accused the government of attempting to create “an environment of fear” to silence dissenting voices. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to BBC Newsbeat’s inquiry regarding the incident.
As of now, no formal complaints have been filed, but the incident has sparked fresh debate over the balance between national security, border enforcement, and freedom of speech in the U.S.
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