Storify by Jordan Zakarin

Emad Burnat Held at Customs, Michael Moore Tweets

Michael Moore @MMFlint
Emad Burnat, Palestinian director of Oscar nominated "5 Broken Cameras" was held tonight by immigration at LAX as he landed to attend Oscars
Tue, Feb 19 2013 23:39:27
Reply Retweet Favorite
Michael Moore @MMFlint
Emad, his wife & 8-yr old son were placed in a holding area and told they didn't have the proper invitation on them to attend the Oscars.
Tue, Feb 19 2013 23:41:51
Reply Retweet Favorite
Michael Moore @MMFlint
Although he produced the Oscar invite nominees receive, that wasn't good enough & he was threatened with being sent back to Palestine.
Tue, Feb 19 2013 23:56:23
Reply Retweet Favorite
Michael Moore @MMFlint
Apparently the Immigration & Customs officers couldn't understand how a Palestinian could be an Oscar nominee. Emad texted me for help.
Wed, Feb 20 2013 00:00:44
Reply Retweet Favorite
Michael Moore @MMFlint
I called Academy officials who called lawyers. I told Emad to give the officers my phone # and to say my name a couple of times.
Wed, Feb 20 2013 00:05:59
Reply Retweet Favorite
Michael Moore @MMFlint
After 1.5 hrs, they decided to release him & his family & told him he could stay in LA for the week & go to the Oscars. Welcome to America.
Wed, Feb 20 2013 00:11:07
Reply Retweet Favorite
Michael Moore @MMFlint
"It's nothing I'm not already used to," he told me later. "When u live under occupation, with no rights, this is a daily occurrence."
Wed, Feb 20 2013 00:16:03
Reply Retweet Favorite
Michael Moore @MMFlint
Emad Burnat, Palestinian farmer turned filmmaker, director of "5 Broken Cameras", the 1st Palestinian doc ever nominated for the Oscar.
Wed, Feb 20 2013 00:22:27
Reply Retweet Favorite
Michael Moore @MMFlint
This all just happened tonight, a few hours ago. He was certain they were going to deport him. But not if I had anything to do about it.
Wed, Feb 20 2013 00:32:33
Reply Retweet Favorite