"I Can See the Color": Minneapolis Uber Driver Confronts Border Patrol Agent Over Racism
A Somali-American Uber driver, Ahmed Bin Hassan, recently found himself in a confrontation with a Border Patrol agent that has left many questioning the motivations behind such interactions. According to Hassan, he was approached by the agent at an airport in Minneapolis after Renee Nicole Good's murder earlier that day, which had sparked outrage over the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Hassan stated that his initial encounter with the Border Patrol agent was fueled by his recognition of racism, as he felt the agent was profiling him due to his appearance and accent. The agents, who were part of a massive crackdown on immigrants in the Twin Cities following President Donald Trump's racist comments about the Somali community, questioned Hassan about his immigration status.
The driver replied that if they wanted information from him, they should have used his real name instead of referring to him with letter-and-number designations. He said he was not scared, and rather chose to engage in a conversation, using humor to calm himself down. When asked about the incident, Hassan stated that he is proud of his actions, saying "They could see my color," referring to how racism affects people's lives.
The confrontation between Hassan and the Border Patrol agents has sparked discussions about immigration policies and the growing presence of white nationalist groups in the U.S. According to Bin Hassan, it was not an easy time for him getting hired due to his race and faith as a black Muslim immigrant.
He had faced rejections from jobs he applied for due to his ethnic background before becoming an Uber driver last month, where he continues to drive peacefully despite being aware of potential confrontations with ICE agents.
A Somali-American Uber driver, Ahmed Bin Hassan, recently found himself in a confrontation with a Border Patrol agent that has left many questioning the motivations behind such interactions. According to Hassan, he was approached by the agent at an airport in Minneapolis after Renee Nicole Good's murder earlier that day, which had sparked outrage over the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Hassan stated that his initial encounter with the Border Patrol agent was fueled by his recognition of racism, as he felt the agent was profiling him due to his appearance and accent. The agents, who were part of a massive crackdown on immigrants in the Twin Cities following President Donald Trump's racist comments about the Somali community, questioned Hassan about his immigration status.
The driver replied that if they wanted information from him, they should have used his real name instead of referring to him with letter-and-number designations. He said he was not scared, and rather chose to engage in a conversation, using humor to calm himself down. When asked about the incident, Hassan stated that he is proud of his actions, saying "They could see my color," referring to how racism affects people's lives.
The confrontation between Hassan and the Border Patrol agents has sparked discussions about immigration policies and the growing presence of white nationalist groups in the U.S. According to Bin Hassan, it was not an easy time for him getting hired due to his race and faith as a black Muslim immigrant.
He had faced rejections from jobs he applied for due to his ethnic background before becoming an Uber driver last month, where he continues to drive peacefully despite being aware of potential confrontations with ICE agents.