Briton 'in chains at JFK airport over bogus debt' (Patriot Act at work?)

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Briton 'in chains at JFK airport over bogus debt'
By Rosemary Behan
(Filed: 29/04/2004)

An accountant claims that he was kept for more than 24 hours in "leg chains" and denied food and water after flying into New York's JFK airport with his wife.

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Mr Pattison, who disputes the alleged debt, said he was subjected to "inhumane and degrading" treatment by the US authorities and a "lack of assistance" by the Foreign Office.

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Mr Pattison was then told he would not be allowed into the country and would be deported. "I requested a call to the British consulate in New York and I spoke to a man who refused to give his surname. He said he couldn't help because I hadn't been admitted to the country and I was in limbo.

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"We begged for water but the (Department for Homeland Security) staff just sat there eating hamburgers. There was nowhere to wash or sleep and I observed verbal abuse by US immigration personnel to most of these people."


Winning more hearts and minds.

Will it ever stop? :shrug:

(sigh)