Obama-Biden T-shirt caused CBP detainment at airport: LA man
Share and Follow

A 71-year-old Los Angeles native, a longtime political consultant, wonders if an Obama-Biden T-shirt in his packed luggage might have been the reason he was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after returning from vacation abroad, the L.A. Times reported.  

Rick Taylor, who has worked on the campaigns of local and state politicians, including Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla and L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, was returning from a trip to Turks and Caicos with his wife and daughter when he was flagged by CBP and held for nearly an hour.  

The 71-year-old told The Times he was “freaked out” even with knowledge of the system and connections to officials within the government.  

After deplaning their American Airlines flight in Miami, the family each took different lines through customs.  

When the agent who spoke to Taylor confirmed he was from L.A., an orange sticker was placed on his luggage, and he was ordered to follow a green line that led him to another CBP agent and then a holding room that was predominantly filled with Latino people speaking Spanish.

Passengers wait in line to use the Automated Passport Control Kiosks set up for international travelers arriving at Miami International Airport. (Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

He described the lack of communication for the detainment as “intimidating,” though his cellphone was not confiscated and he was able to text updates to his family.  

According to The Times, the political consultant, who is currently working on the campaign to reelect L.A. City Councilwoman Traci Park, had been more concerned about his wife who is a U.S. citizen born in Vietnam.  

Both she and his daughter have global entry, something Taylor does not, and had no issues clearing customs.  

After about 45 minutes in the holding room, an agent requested his luggage for inspection, and he was released a short time later.  

A spokesperson for CBP in Florida told The Times in a statement that the 71-year-old could file a complaint on the agency’s website.  

The incident comes as L.A. remains a target of the Department of Homeland Security, where federal agents with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, CBP and other federal agencies have been conducting immigration enforcement operations across the region.  

“I have no idea why I was targeted,” Taylor, who admitted he’s rethinking international travel while this administration remains in power, told The Times. “They don’t talk to you. They don’t give you a reason. You’re just left confused, angry and worried.”  

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Trump's DOJ issues final verdict on Jeffrey Epstein

Final decision on Jeffrey Epstein made by the Department of Justice under Trump

The FBI and the Department of Justice, during Donald Trump’s administration, have…
Nantucket property wars after man 'cuts down neighbor's trees'

Nantucket Property Dispute Erupts Over Alleged Tree Cutting by Neighbor

A property feud has erupted on a wealthy Massachusetts island after a…
Yankees' Jazz Chisholm out of Subway Series lineup with shoulder issue

Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm sidelined from Subway Series game due to shoulder problem

The struggling Yankees team, who had endured a six-game losing streak and…
Australian Erin Patterson found guilty of all counts in mushroom murders case

Australian Erin Patterson convicted of all charges in mushroom killings trial

An Australian woman was on Monday convicted of murdering three elderly relatives…
Pediatric doctor reveals risky mistake he'd never let his kids make

“Mistake Pediatric Doctor Says He’d Never Allow His Children to Make”

Soak up the fun! There are many ways kids can have a…
Liam Gallagher apologizes for using racial slur before Oasis reunion

Liam Gallagher issues apology for using racial slur ahead of Oasis reunion

Liam Gallagher is on an apology tour. The Oasis frontman, 52, came…
A young Alabama student, a grandparent and a camp director among those killed in Texas floods

Victims of Texas floods include a student from Alabama, a grandparent, and a camp director

A small-town grandmother who disappeared on her way to work. A beloved…
Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus activists faces federal trial

Federal trial awaits the Trump administration’s tough approach towards campus activists supporting Palestine

BOSTON (AP) — A federal bench trial begins Monday over a lawsuit…