Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah faces repeated security checks at US immigration

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was detained by the US immigration for random security check on Sunday night. 

Venting his frustration on social media platform twitter, Abdullah revealed that this was the third such incident in last three visits, and he was not happy about it. 

“Another “random” secondary immigration check upon landing in the US. Thrice in three visits, the randomness is growing tiresome now,” tweeted Omar. “I just spent TWO hours in a holding area & this happens EVERY time. Unlike @iamsrk I don’t even catch Pokemon to pass the time (sic),” he said in his tweet.

He further tweeted: “I’m here to speak at an event organised by NYU but I almost wish I’d stayed at home instead. Ah well, that’s two hours well & truly wasted!! (sic)” Earlier in August, Shah Rukh Khan was detained by the US Immigration Department at Los Angeles airport.

Another "random" secondary immigration check upon landing in the US. Thrice in three visits, the randomness is growing tiresome now.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) October 16, 2016

I just spent TWO hours in a holding area & this happens EVERY time. Unlike @iamsrk I don't even catch Pokemon to pass the time.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) October 16, 2016

I'm here to speak at an event organised by NYU but I almost wish I'd stayed at home instead. Ah well, that's two hours well & truly wasted!!

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) October 16, 2016

Khan had tweeted his displeasure earlier saying that it “sucked” to be detained at the US immigration every time.

“I fully understand & respect security with the way the world is, but to be detained at US immigration every damn time really really sucks.The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons,” he said.

Following his detention, the US Department of State apologised to Khan. “Sorry for the hassle at the airport, @iamsrk – even American diplomats get pulled for extra screening!,” Nisha Biswal, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, US Department of State said in a tweet. 

However, former Indian Foreign Secretary and Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao came out in support of the security measure at LA Airport saying that one cannot question the customs and border protection laws of any sovereign country.