A Catholic school in the Seattle area is taking action against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), claiming that music students—predominantly students of color—were unfairly detained and questioned upon their return from a trip to Canada. Eastside Catholic School, located in Sammamish, organized a band and choir excursion across the border.
School president Gil Picciotto reported that upon re-entering the U.S. at the border, a CBP agent stopped the students and inquired about their “affiliation with the school,” wrongfully accusing them of attempting to enter the country illegally. Picciotto noted that nearly all the detained students were students of color, all of whom were properly documented and under the supervision of school staff. Last Thursday, Eastside Catholic School announced its intention to file a formal complaint against the federal agency.
“Eastside Catholic School is aware of an incident during a recent student trip and will be filing a formal complaint with U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” the school stated. “As a Catholic institution, we are dedicated to upholding the dignity of every individual and advocating for our students’ well-being. At this time, we will refrain from making further public comments to protect the privacy of those involved and to focus on supporting our students and their families.”
In response, U.S. Customs and Border Protection denied the allegations, issuing a statement that read:
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection firmly rejects claims made by Eastside Catholic School that students faced discrimination upon returning to the U.S. CBP is tasked with assessing the admissibility of all travelers entering the country. Each inspection is unique, and CBP officers may ask additional questions to verify a traveler’s admissibility. In accordance with our policy, CBP does not discriminate based on religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other factor.”
The situation has raised significant concerns about the treatment of students during border crossings, with Eastside Catholic School emphasizing its commitment to the dignity and privacy of its students while choosing to limit public comments on the matter.
