British school teacher, Juhel Miah, from Swansea, has spoken out after being removed from a New York bound flight while travelling with students, without providing a reason.
Mr Miah, along with other members of staff and students from Llangatwg Community School was boarding the flight from Reykjavik, Iceland when he escorted off by security staff.
The 25-year-old explains how the ordeal left him feeling humiliated, and now both he and his school are demanding an explanation from the US authorities.
He continues: “I’m not an angry type of person. I don’t get easily worked up, otherwise I wouldn’t be a teacher. But I was definitely angry. It hit me the hardest was when I was being escorted off the plane. Everyone was looking at me.
“Not just members of the public but my school, my kids, fellow teachers. It made me feel so small, as if I had done something wrong, as if I am a criminal. Everyone must have been thinking that – even the kids from my school. I hope not but that’s what was going through my head. I didn’t know where to look.
“This shouldn’t happen to anyone. I’ve followed all the procedures. I’ve ticked all the right boxes yet they made me feel like a criminal. I’ve got no criminal record, I’ve never been in trouble. I was in shock, I couldn’t believe it was happening. I felt powerless, as if I was being targeted and there was nothing I could do.
“No one could give me an explanation. The only thing I can put it down to unfortunately – I hope I’m wrong – is because I’m a Muslim. That’s all I can put it down to. I hope that’s not true.”
The Welsh first minister, Carwyn Jones, has written to the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, asking for “urgent clarification” on the matter.
Head teacher, Mr Rowlands, from Mr Miah’s school said the children had been going to America on a “cultural exercise” to “see the sights and sounds of New York”.
But, he added, the incident had “cast a shadow” over the trip.
“One thing we are looking for is answers,” he said.
“In a world where we try to encourage openness and tolerance of all people, no matter what gender, sexuality or ethnicity, it really does send the wrong message to young people.
Miah’s experience came just a week after the US court made the decision to suspend Trump ruling on the Muslim travel ban.
The US Embassy in London has been asked to comment.
