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Son of boxing legend Muhammad Ali was detained by immigration staff at a US airport, who repeatedly asked him "Are you Muslim?", according to the family's lawyer.

The incident allegedly happened as Muhammad Ali and his mother Khalilah Camacho-Ali, the second wife of the late boxing legend, arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on February 7 from Jamaica.

The Ali's legal rep Chris Mancini told a Kentucky newspaper that immigration officers quizzed Ali for nearly two hours, repeatedly asking him "Where did you get your name from?" and "Are you Muslim?".

Mancini says officials continued questioning Ali after acknowledging that he was Muslim.

The 44-year-old was born in Philadelphia and holds a US passport.

US Customs and Border Protection said it "cannot discuss individual travellers; however, all international travellers arriving in the US are subject to CBP inspection".

The incident comes after President Donald Trump implemented a controversial "Muslim ban" last month.

Muslim nationals from seven countries were banned for 90 days and refugees were dealt a horrific four-month ban.

The order prompted widespread outrage, sparking mass protests and confusion at airports.

U.S. District Judge James Robart in Seattle suspended the order nationwide after Washington state challenged its legality.

A three judge 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel last week upheld Robart's ruling - however President Trump says he intends to instate a brand new order.

The Justice Department court filing said Trump's order would be "substantially revised" but did not provide details.

Last week an congressional aide who asked not to be identified told Reuters that Trump might rewrite the original order to explicitly exclude green card holders, or permanent residents.