I am stuck in Dubai United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a travel ban placed on my passport number. I did try to exit the country a few days ago and was denied exit. I am in contact with both the US and UAE governments via email. I was told by the US consulate here to retain a local UAE lawyer; I did not see a reason why. I asked via email why there is a ban placed on my passport; I have not received a response.

I am being followed in the UAE and continue to be followed for reasons I do not understand. I do still recommend Dubai for travel it is an amazing city!

I was advised by the US consulate here in Dubai trough a physical interview to create a GoFundMe to deal with funds.

I am plaining on retaining a UAE lawyer this coming week, but I am burning though funds dealing with the extended stay in the UAE.

I would like to leave the UAE and deal with this with this when I am back on American soil. I promise to pay anyone back that helps me.

I did write my Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman's office and the Consulate here in Dubai the following:

I am a tourist in the UAE passing through. I was detained by UAE police officers on 01 April 2025. I believe the reason for the detention was that I put my hands on a UAE resident who was following me. I shoved him to break the personal distance, and his female partner shoved me back. This was recorded via apartment cameras. My mistake was not stepping back to break the distance. This incident happened at the DAMAC Maison Prive.

My training in the USMC has taught me to break distances instinctively. The next morning, I saw the same UAE resident and his female partner; we smirked at each other but did not talk. At the time, I had consumed four drinks and submitted to a breathalyzer test at the police station. I fully complied with the officers’ requests. I was told to sign documents that were not translated into English and to leave my unlocked phone overnight. I asked multiple times to have the documents I needed to sign translated, but my request was not fulfilled. I handed over my unlocked phone, but I cleared it before doing so.

I was instructed to return the next morning for my phone, but I never did. Through the Dubai U.S. consulate, I found out that a travel ban had been placed on my passport. I am in contact with both the U.S. consulate and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) via email, but to this day, I have not been informed about the reason for the travel ban. I was advised by the U.S. ACS here in Dubai to retain a local UAE lawyer. I do not understand why I need one and am trying to get written clarification, via email, regarding the travel ban placed on my passport.