El-Sayed Says Sister-In-Law on Terrorist Watchlist
Michigan candidate claims family member was wrongly placed on federal list.
2 min read
Maryland Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed confirmed on Saturday that his sister-in-law, Mariam Jukaku, was placed on the federal Terrorist Screening Dataset during the Obama administration. El-Sayed, who is set to campaign alongside former President Barack Obama, stated that Jukaku’s name was added to the so-called ‘Watchlist’ and that she pursued legal action to have her name removed.
Legal Battle and System Criticism
During an interview with Fox News, El-Sayed acknowledged that Jukaku’s name was on the list, but he argued that she had done nothing to warrant her placement. He accused the system of operating on a ‘guilty-until-proven-innocent’ basis, particularly for individuals with names that align with certain ethnic groups. El-Sayed tied this issue to his opponent, former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), suggesting the system’s flaws were a result of the infrastructure set up by such figures.
Jukaku’s complaint, filed in 2016, alleged that she was subjected to additional airport screening without being informed of the reasons. She claimed at the time that she had been removed from the list by 2016. However, Fox News Digital reported that a ruling in her favor was overturned in 2021, and a companion lawsuit from 2017 was dismissed.
Political Context and Campaign Challenges
El-Sayed has faced scrutiny throughout the campaign due to his association with radical pro-communist streamer Hasan Piker and his perceived reluctance to distance himself from the Muslim Brotherhood. His comments about the terrorist watchlist have added to the growing concerns about his political alignment and his ability to take a firm stance on sensitive issues.
The incident has sparked renewed debate about the accuracy and fairness of the federal surveillance system, raising questions about how names are added and the legal avenues available to those affected. As the campaign continues, El-Sayed’s position on this issue will likely remain a focal point in the broader political discourse.
Source: Daily Wire
