Chinese citizens are being told not to travel to the United States through the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.<\/p>\n
China\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a statement on \u2018X\u2019 about the warning.<\/p>\n
Reuters translated the notice, which said that 20 Chinese scholars were denied entry on their way to an academic conference. It goes on to state that the scholars all had valid visas and were subjected to \u2018unreasonable questioning\u2019 by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers at Sea-Tac.<\/p>\n
KIRO 7 News has reached out to both the airport and Border Patrol about the allegations.<\/p>\n
The Port of Seattle sent the following statement:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Port of Seattle, which owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), reaffirms its commitment to being a welcoming gateway for people and commerce. <\/i><\/p>\n
As a public-use airport subject to federal regulation, the Port does not have control over operations or entry requirements for arriving international passengers. This process is exclusively controlled by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). <\/i><\/p>\n
We expect that all arriving passengers to SEA are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness in line with our Welcoming Port Policy.<\/i>“<\/p>\n
Border Patrol has not yet responded.<\/p>\n
China\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised citizens to \u201cstrengthen safety awareness, avoid entering through \u200bthis airport, according to Reuters\u2019 translation.<\/p>\n
The ministry asked its citizens to respond calmly and rationally if U.S. law enforcement officers question them while traveling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n