Twitch streamer Hasan Piker says he was questioned by U.S. Customs at airport

Hasan Piker, one of the top political pundits on Twitch, on Monday said that he was stopped and questioned by U.S.

Hasan Piker, one of the top political pundits on Twitch, on Monday said that he was stopped and questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport over the weekend after a trip to France. 

“They knew who I was and they were ready to receive me, let’s just say, and it wasn’t a very warm welcome,”  Piker, known as HasanAbi online, told his followers during a live stream. News of his detainment was first reported by User Mag.  

The Turkish American streamer — who has more than 2.8 million followers on Twitch, 1.6 million subscribers on YouTube and 1.2 million followers on TikTok — is known for being vocal on a number of political and social issues, including his support for Palestinian people and criticism of Israeli leaders.

Piker said that on Sunday when he returned from Paris, he was taken to an area in the airport with “fluorescent lightbulbs, the whole nine [yards]” and questioned for about two hours. He said he was asked about his views, including whether he supports President Donald Trump, and whether he has been in contact with Hamas, the Houthis or Hezbollah.  

“Obviously, the reason for why they’re doing that is, I think, to try to create an environment of fear for people like myself or, at least others who would be in my shoes who don’t have the same level of security, to shut the f--- up,” Piker said.