Michael Moore says Palestinian Oscar nominated director was held at LAX

Michael Moore took to Twitter to tell the world that Emad Burnat, the Palestinian director whose documentary is up for an Oscar this weekend, was held up at immigration when he landed at LAX this weekend.

The Farenheit 9/11 director sent a series of Tweets early this morning after speaking with Burnat about the ordeal. “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,” Moore wrote.

According to Moore, Burnat’s invitation was not enough for immigration and “he was threatened with being sent back to Palestine.” Then, Burnat texted Moore, who called the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, who contacted lawyers. Moore told Burnat to give the officers his name and he was held for an hour and a half, Moore writes.

Moore writes that Burnat told him that he’s used to it. “When u live under occupation, with no rights, this is a daily occurrence,” Burnat said.

"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."

— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013

Moore concluded his story by writing:

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.

— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 20, 2013

According to TMZ LAX and immigration officials haven’t commented on Moore’s story.

Burnat co-directed 5 Broken Cameras with Guy Divadi. It is up for Best Documentary Feature and is the first Palestinian documentary to be nominated for an Oscar. The film tells the story of Bil'in residents and their resistance to a new Israeli settlement in the West Bank village.