This is a terrible test cast against the inane rhetoric from folk like Trump (et al.).
The problem is, we don’t know on what basis entry to the US was denied, why and how or by whom concerns were raised, or what checking was done into it. (As someone whose name has been on a watch list, I well understand how sloppy such lists are and how easy it is to be caught up in one.)
It’s nonsensical, though, that this is a move — as I have heard some people seriously suggest — by the DHS to ban all Muslims from entry to the country (I would be willing to wager a significant amount of money that many Muslims traveled to the US last week), and the click-baiting idea that it’s “inspired” by that dolt Trump is equally absurd.
(And, because I’ve heard some outrage out it, yes, “citizens of our allies” can be blocked; after all, the perpetrators of the most recent Paris attack were French and Belgian citizens, and, heck, the San Bernardino attack was by Americans.)
My suspicion here is that someone with a similar or identical name to one of the adult family members showed up on some list, and someone found it easier to simply deny entry than actually confirm if it was the same individual. The subsequent silence from DHS is more CYA than actual need to maintain secrecy. That’s the problem with compiling (with no feedback loop) such lists, and if this helps in any way to end that practice, then it’s worthwhile raising a stink about it.
And until further information is forthcoming from US (or UK) authorities, it definitely looks bad, and it’s appropriate to press for further explanation. Let’s just not get all hyperbolic about it: the matter is not about banning Muslims, it’s (most likely) about sloppy security practices being the basis for denying entry to the US.
U.S. keeps Disneyland-bound British Muslim family out of the country
“They think every Muslim poses a threat,” said Mohammad Tariq Mahmood, one of the travelers barred from flying to California.
I suppose that the answer would be on the order of: "All Muslims are a threat because we don't know which ones aren't."
Or something.
+James Karaganis If that's really what's going on here, it's outrageous. We simply do not know yet.