Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) had high praise for Adele Fasano, Port Director at Newark Liberty Airport, who successfully implemented a number of important changes that Hikind requested. The requests followed horror stories from Hikind’s constituents regarding their treatment at the hands of customs and border patrol agents. Complaints included the refusal to allow an elderly Holocaust survivor to sit during questioning as well as callous disregard for religious items, which agents dumped on the floor despite protests. Assemblyman Hikind met with Fasano and her team to discuss the complaints.

Following Fasano’s assurance that all of the complaints would be investigated, Fasano wrote, “We are pleased to report that with the additional information you provided, we have taken positive steps to ensure our officers treat the public with the utmost professionalism and respect with regard to their religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. CBP will also ensure that additional work surfaces and seating are available in the locations when we conduct these examinations.”

“Constituents complained of being mistreated, I advocated for them, and Port Director Fasano took swift and effective action,” said Hikind. “That is what I call excellent leadership. Port Director Fasano has made certain that her officers and agents abide by their own rules regarding treating individuals with dignity and respect regardless of what they are being questioned for.

“In evidence of Port Director Fasano’s leadership, my staff was advised by a constituent, who was recently on her way to Israel, of a questioning procedure she experienced. This traveler was escorted into a private room and asked to sit comfortably at a table while being questioned. Everyone was professional and the procedure took no longer than necessary.”

Assemblyman Hikind has promised to continue monitoring the situation and asks New Yorkers to contact him if additional problems are encountered.

(YWN Headquarters – NYC)