The stories of passengers detained across the nation

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Sunday, January 29, 2017
2 Syrian families detained at PHL, then put on flight back home
Two Syrian families who landed at Philadelphia International Airport Saturday morning were put on a flight back home. One of the those families was expected by relatives in the Lehigh Valley.

In the wake of President Donald Trump's executive order limiting immigration from countries with known ties to terrorism, nearly 30 passengers have been detained in four airports across the nation, with hundreds more denied entry across the world.



Here are a few of the stories that have emerged from American airports across the country.



Philadelphia International Airport



Two Syrian families who landed at Philadelphia International Airport Saturday morning were put on a flight back home.



The Assalis' six family members are on their way back to a war-torn Syria. This after President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration and refugees from six majority-Muslim countries.



The Assali family says they were counting down the days to see their extended family members. Four adults and two children boarded a plane for an 18-hour flight out of Syria. They were set to land early this morning. Upon landing at Philadelphia International Airport, they were detained. Hours later, they were put on a flight back home.



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People opposed to President Donald Trump's executive order barring entry to the U.S. by Muslims from certain countries demonstrate in Los Angeles.
AP Photo/Reed Saxon


Sarmad Assali says each have Visas that were approved after a long, costly and legal process.



"We have gone through all the proper channels, paid all of these fees. They were supposed to arrive this morning at 7:45. At 8:30, we got a call from the airport authorities saying do not bother to come and pick up your family we are sending them back," said Sarmad Assali.



RELATED: Iraqi detained at JFK was coming to Houston to rejoin family




Chicago O'Hare Airport


A Syrian woman was detained at O'Hare airport in Chicago, Illinois.



Sahar Alghnimi flew in from Saudi Arabia to visit her mother who had just undergone cancer surgery.



RELATED: Houston-bound Iraqi released from detention at JFK airport



This was not Alghnimi's first visit to the U.S., but it was the first time she was detained for at least four hours upon her arrival.



Alghnimi arrived on Eithad Airlines on a valid tourist visa Saturday night.



Following President Trump's executive orders, Alghnimi is expected to be sent back to Saudia Arabia.



Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport


An official with the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations confirmed that nine people have been detained, but could not provide further details regarding their identities.

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