Cruise Passenger Detained, Released at Port Everglades

On Sunday, a chemical engineer from Iran was detained by customs officials in the United States after returning from a cruise to Mexico.

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According to the Miami Herald, Maysam Sodagari was a passenger on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas during an annual gay cruise and began to worry about his status when he returned to the U.S. following President Trump’s travel ban.

During the voyage, Sodagari was given advice and provided numbers for attorneys in case anything happened. When he arrived in Port Everglades Sunday, Sodagari was stopped and taken to the Customs and Border Protection’s office.

Throughout the process, Sodagari detailed his ordeal on Facebook, including two Facebook Live videos. After being detained for three hours, he was released and was able to continue to his home in San Francisco.

When asked about how he was treated after being detained, Sodagari spoke honestly.

“They were very friendly, very professional,” he told reporters. “They explained all the processes, and why they’re doing this. And I understand. It’s their job.”

Miami Foundation Executive Director Jamie Alejandro met up with Sodagari after his ordeal.

“I am happy to report that I'm here with Maysam and after being detained by CBP for three hours he is doing well and is in good spirits—obviously concerned and shaken up but doing well,” Alejandro told the Miami Herald.

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