Since President Trump took office, both the southern and northern borders of the US have been tense places. Canadian actress and entrepreneur Jasmine Mooney has recently made headlines after being detained at the US-Mexico border for nearly two weeks. The actress, known for her role in American Pie and for her entrepreneurial pursuits, was held in what she described as “inhumane” conditions by US border authorities over an incomplete work visa. Mooney is speaking out because she believes she, along with many others, are being unfairly treated like criminals.
American Pie Actor Detained By ICE
Mooney’s ordeal began when her work visa to the US was revoked while she was traveling from Vancouver to Los Angeles. She had been traveling back and forth between Canada and the US frequently for work, previously without issue. She was told that if she went to San Isidrio, where she originally applied for her visa, she shouldn’t have any problems. So she flew to Mexico and went to cross the land border to figure out what was wrong with her visa. In an attempt to file a new application, she was detained on 3rd March in San Diego, California, marking the start of her harrowing experience. She says that during a long interrogation, the border officers told her that her visa hadn’t been properly processed. Another part of the problem, they told her, was with her health tonic water company Holy! Water. The beverage uses hemp as one of its ingredients, and the border officers told her that she couldn’t work for a company in the US that uses hemp in its products. Instead of sending her back to Canada or directing her as to how she could fix her application, they detained her. She has no criminal record and was not charged with any crime.
“Every single guard that sees me is like, ‘What are you doing here? I don’t understand. You’re Canadian. How are you here?’” Mooney said of her time spent in detention.
Inhumane Conditions and Treatment
During Mooney’s detention, she and approximately 30 others were reportedly placed in a single concrete cell with no natural light, limited bathroom facilities, and inadequate bedding. She described the conditions as “inhumane” and shared her shock at being forced to sleep on a mat with no blanket or pillow for two and a half days. They were held there for 3 nights before being transferred.
“We eventually learned that about 30 people, including Jasmine, were removed from their cells at 3am and transferred to the San Luis detention center in Arizona,” her mother, Alexis Eagles, explained.
Mooney says that every time they were transferred to a different facility, which occurred several times, they were all put in handcuffs and in chains.
Injustice and Lack of Explanation
Mooney’s detention raises questions about the treatment of individuals with incomplete visa applications. Despite her Canadian citizenship and lack of a criminal record, she found herself detained without any clear explanation. The circumstances that led to the revocation of her earlier visa remain unclear, leading to further uncertainty about the situation.
“I have never in my life seen anything so inhumane,” said the actress, who is still trying to process everything that she went through.
Release and Homecoming
After spending nearly two weeks in detention, Mooney was released and returned to Vancouver international airport. Overwhelmed by the events, she expressed gratitude for the support she received and noted the psychological toll of her experience. She is still unaware as to why her visa was revoked and is still facing a lot of uncertainty. Mooney was visiting Canada on vacation, but because of her work, she was living in Los Angeles. Her career, her job, and her whole life are still very much up in the air. She is currently unaware if she will be able to get another visa and return to her job and life or not.
The Bottom Line
In the current political climate, Mooney’s story is just one of many who have faced hardships trying to enter the United States, particularly in recent months. Many people, like Mooney, have been detained without a clear reason as to why. After days or even weeks spent in unfavorable conditions, they are then often deported and sent away, whether it is just or not. Even people who are legally allowed to be in the US, either with visas or residency status, are facing tough and scary situations. The unfortunate thing is that, other than speaking out and sharing their stories, there doesn’t appear to be much that can be done currently.
