DEARBORN, Mich. – A Dearborn-based attorney said he was detained and targeted at Detroit Metro Airport because of his profession.
Amir Makled returned from a spring break trip with his family to Punta Cana on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
While going through customs in Detroit, an agent stopped him and requested a TTRT.
“At that point, I realized it meant tactical terrorism response team, which really scared me,” Makled said.
Once in an interrogation room, Mackled said the agent immediately brought up his job as an attorney.
“He led with, ‘We know you’re an attorney and we know that you have some high profile cases you’re litigating’,” Makled said. “And the only high-profile case I’m litigating now is the case of Samantha Lewis. Samantha is an activist who was charged in Ann Arbor for protesting against the war in Gaza at the University of Michigan.”
Makled said the agent demanded he hand over his cell phone to be searched.
Makled said he refused, citing privileged information on his device.
He ultimately handed over his phone, allowing the agents to search his contact list only.
“It’s not something I’m going to let the government have unfettered access to,” Makled said. “I have a duty as an attorney. I have a duty to my clients and anything they tell me could be privileged.”
Makled said he was held for nearly two hours total and was released with his cell phone.
He believes this was a targeted interrogation that has to do with his profession.
“I think it’s an attempt to dissuade attorneys from taking on these causes,” Makled said. “It’s really an attempt to intimidate lawyers from standing up for people who are engaged in political speech.”
Makled believes he was specifically targeted for taking on cases that clash with Trump administration policies.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection responded with a statement.
“This lawyer’s accusations are blatantly false and sensationalized. Upon entering the country, he was flagged and referred to secondary inspection — a routine, lawful process that occurs daily, and can apply for any traveler.
During the approximately 90-minute screening, officers worked to ensure attorney-client privilege was respected during electronic media search.
He provided written consent to a limited search of his electronic device, and all actions were conducted in accordance with established protocols.
He was then promptly released. Claims that this was an attack on his profession or were politically motivated are baseless. Our officers are following the law, not agendas.”
CBP Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham