Activist Detained After Iran Trip

An American activist, who attended a state-sponsored event in Iran where attendees chanted “death to America,” reported being detained for several hours by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) upon her return to the United States.

Chara Walsh, a co-founder of a group advocating for a united front against perceived imperialism, claimed that “Gestapo agents were waiting at the gate” when she arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Walsh shared her experience, expressing that she was questioned by CBP but had anticipated such scrutiny, noting, “I didn’t have a phone for them to seize.”

In a video from the event in Iran, Walsh can be seen praising the protests, which included chants against the U.S. and Israel. “Glory to all martyrs. Glory to the axis of resistance,” she declared, while the Iranian government enforced strict guidelines on women’s attire by covering her hair with a hat.

When contacted for comment, Walsh did not respond. She has previously been connected to protests against Israel at Columbia University, which resulted in arrests. Allegations suggest her group has ties to violent actions against supporters of Israel and law enforcement.

The Department of Homeland Security emphasized that all individuals, including U.S. citizens, are subject to inspections by CBP when entering the United States to ensure adherence to laws and regulations.

Walsh has alleged that recent detentions indicate she may be on a domestic terrorism watchlist, attributing this to her history of activism against U.S. foreign policy and actions she deems oppressive. In the past, she mentioned being detained by CBP after returning from a trip to Cuba.