Two Jewish passengers have filed a massive federal lawsuit against United Airlines and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging they were subjected to anti-Semitic mistreatment aboard a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston, Texas. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims the passengers faced excessive force, humiliation, and wrongful detention due to their visibly Jewish appearance.
According to the complaint, one plaintiff, experiencing constipation, was in the aircraft restroom for an extended period when a flight attendant and later the pilot aggressively demanded he exit. Despite assurances that he was all right, the pilot allegedly forced open the bathroom door, dragging the passenger out with his pants still around his ankles, exposing him to fellow travelers. The lawsuit further claims that the pilot physically shoved the two passengers back to their seats while making derogatory comments about them being Jewish people.
Upon landing, multiple DHS agents boarded the plane, forcibly detaining both passengers. The lawsuit alleges that one agent told them, “this isn’t county or state, we are Homeland [Security], you have no rights here,” before subjecting them to painful restraints and invasive searches. The plaintiffs claim they were unlawfully detained, mistreated, and ultimately missed their connecting flight home, and were forced to pay out-of-pocket for related expenses.
The lawsuit contends that the airline’s employees falsely escalated the situation to federal authorities, leading to their wrongful detention based on religious bias. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses stemming from the ordeal.
United Airlines and DHS have 35 days to answer the lawsuit.
To join the FAA News WhatsApp Status, click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment