One story that’s been circulating through social media is Gold Star father Khizr Khan claiming that he’s under some sort of travel ban. It is a truly bizarre story without many specifics. Here are five things you need to know about it.
1. Khan’s speaking engagement in Toronto on Tuesday was canceled. Here is the statement from RamsayTalks, who was hosting Khan, about the cancellation:
Statement from Ramsey Talks regarding Khizr Khan cancellation is now up on their Facebook page. pic.twitter.com/zQrAytHQaL
— Rosa Hwang (@journorosa) March 6, 2017
2. Khan is claiming that his “travel privileges are being reviewed.” “This turn of events is not just of deep concern to me but to all my fellow Americans who cherish our freedom to travel abroad,” Khan said in a statement. “I have not been given any reason as to why. I am grateful for your support and look forward to visiting Toronto in the near future.”
3. Notably absent from Khan’s statement is specifics. Khan did not specify which person and from what agency told him that his “travel privileges are being reviewed”; no one is able to confirm it. It also doesn’t make any sense because Khan is a U.S. citizen; therefore he cannot be barred from traveling to Canada. Khan has declined further comment to various news outlets that have asked him for more information..
4. Various government agencies have denied they’re barring Khan from traveling. Here’s what The Daily Beast got in response from government agencies on the matter:
Instead, The Daily Beast called Customs and Border Patrol. CBP spokespeople did not explain what happened to Khan, but brushed away the notion that the father was told he could not go to Canada.
“We don’t do that. We’re not going to review… no, no,” Janice Mosher from U.S. Customs and Border Protection public affairs told The Daily Beast. “It’s not something we do.”
Mosher suggested that the Transportation Security Administration might have more information.
But a TSA spokesman directed The Daily Beast back to CBP. “That’s their slim lane,” Brian McNeal of the TSA said.
5. Overall, people are skeptical of the story. Via Twitchy:
I can’t emphasize enough how skeptical of this “Khizr Khan had travel privileges revoked” story you should be. https://t.co/hstwtlj8Dp
— Jeff B/DDHQ (@EsotericCD) March 6, 2017
I’m not retweeting it, but you should be *extremely* skeptical of this Khizr Khan tweet going around until a whole lot more info comes out
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) March 6, 2017
I’m a fan of Khizr Khan, but very skeptical of this story. Can’t think of any known legal reason why his travel could be restricted. https://t.co/2QhokTRYVR
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) March 6, 2017
Be very careful with this story. No statement from Khan. Hard to imagine any grounds for passport revocation. https://t.co/iQGevqrEsE
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) March 6, 2017
Asked Khizr Khan several simple, clarifying Qs via email. He got back, saying only “Thank you – no comments.” I’d stay away from this story
— Domenico Montanaro (@DomenicoNPR) March 6, 2017