Sheila Jackson Lee | Official U.S. House headshot
Sheila Jackson Lee | Official U.S. House headshot
WASHINGTON, DC – On August 8, 2023, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, issued this statement as she helped bring back young Houstonian and social media influencer, Tierra Young Allen “Sassy Trucker” who was inappropriately held in Dubai since April back to Houston with her family in August.
“Tierra Young Allen is known online as the “Sassy Trucker” now back in Houston after being held in Dubai since April over an altercation at a car rental agency.
According to Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, “Tierra was living a nightmare and facing fines and lengthy imprisonment, until her case was brought into the spotlight of international media scrutiny. Without that attention, all too often, Emirati authorities pay little heed to due process, fairness, and human rights.” Tierra Allen was told at the police station (Bur Dubai) that she has been accused of 'shouting,' which under the UAE's laws is illegal under 'offensive behavior,' which is an unclear and subjective regulation, but warrants up to two years in prison, a fine and deportation.”
“Over the past several months, I have worked hand in hand with State Department and Consulate General’s of consular affairs to ensure Tierra Allen safe return back home to her mother Ms. Tina Baxter and the rest of her family here in Houston, Texas. As a mother, I know the feeling that Ms. Tina Baxter must of felt when she received that news of her daughter’s arrest overseas. I know it must have devasting to get this news and not really know exactly what to do.
The global support that had together in various ways in providing moral support for Tierra Allen and her family as they were going through this very difficult moment in life.”
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Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat representing the 18th Congressional District of Texas, is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security and the Budget and the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime
Original source can be found here.
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