New Hampshire Lawyer Detained by U.S. Border Agents
A New Hampshire lawyer detained for hours by U.S. border agents is raising serious concerns about the treatment of American citizens at ports of entry. Bachir Atallah, a U.S. citizen and real estate attorney, says border agents stopped him and his wife without explanation as they returned from Canada through the Vermont border.
What started as a routine border crossing quickly became a disturbing experience. Bachir Atallah says agents handcuffed him, placed him in a cell, and forced him to give access to his confidential emails. He described the ordeal as humiliating and unnecessary.
Who Was Detained and Where?
Bachir Atallah, a real estate attorney from New Hampshire, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stopped him and his wife, Jessica Fakhri, on Sunday night. They were crossing back into the U.S. through Vermont after visiting family in Canada for Palm Sunday.
Although Atallah has been a U.S. citizen for over 10 years, agents still detained him. They handcuffed him, separated him from his wife, and held him in a freezing cell for five hours. He said no one gave him a clear reason for the detention.“I was detained. I was not free to leave. Holding cells. No shoes, no jacket. It was freezing cold,” he told WMUR.
Concerns Over Privacy and Due Process
Atallah also alleges that agents forced him to grant access to his phone and email, which contained confidential attorney-client communications. He said officers forced him to sign a statement under duress to allow the search, raising serious questions about constitutional rights and attorney-client privilege.
Agents waited three hours before they called his sister, Celine Atallah, an immigration attorney. She said the damage was already done.
“What happened to my brother is not reasonable,” she said. “It’s an abuse of power.”
CBP Disputes the Claims
In a public statement, CBP Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham denied the allegations.
“The traveler’s accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized,” Beckham said. He added that officers sent Atallah to secondary inspection, a routine and lawful procedure.
Beckham also stated that officers respected attorney-client privilege and conducted a consensual, limited search.
Legal and Public Backlash
Ron Abramson, a New Hampshire immigration attorney not involved in the case, called the detention “disturbing,” warning that such incidents undermine trust in American institutions.
“Detaining people with no basis is not something America does. This raises the question — is anyone safe?”
Atallah now fears returning to the U.S. after his planned work trip to Lebanon, unsure if another similar encounter will happen.
“I’m scared it’s going to happen again tonight,” he said.
Why It Matters for Canadians and Cross-Border Travelers
This case strikes a chord not just in the U.S., but for Canadian travelers and dual citizens who frequently cross the border. It also highlights the growing scrutiny and unpredictability at U.S. entry points, including those from Canada into Vermont, a corridor commonly used by Ontario residents visiting New England.
While Atallah is based in New Hampshire, his experience coming back from Canada brings fresh attention to border rights, transparency, and the need for better protocols — especially for law-abiding citizens.
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