Canada US Border Detention: Canadian Speaks Out After 11 Days in ICE Custody
Jasmine Mooney, a 35-year-old Canadian actress and entrepreneur, is speaking out after enduring an 11-day Canada US border detention earlier this year. She was taken into custody by U.S. immigration officials at the Mexico–San Diego border after attempting to renew her work visa — a process she had successfully completed before.
What followed was a harrowing ordeal inside ICE detention, where she says she was shuffled through multiple facilities, forced to sleep on concrete floors, and denied access to basic information. Mooney’s experience has now become a stark warning to other Canadians navigating the increasingly strict immigration environment at U.S. land borders.
Her case highlights growing concern from immigration lawyers who warn that land crossings now carry greater risk, and are urging Canadians to apply for or renew visas at airports instead, where they remain on Canadian soil and out of U.S. custody.
“That place breaks you”
Mooney says she was shuffled between facilities, forced to sleep on concrete, and given only a foil blanket for warmth. She underwent humiliating medical procedures and was denied the opportunity to pay for her own return flight.
At one point, she relied on the kindness of another detainee who gave up phone time so she could alert someone outside. Mooney eventually learned her story had gone viral, sparking public support that may have helped secure her release.
Chilling warning for Canadian travellers
Mooney’s experience highlights growing concerns about Canada US border policies under the current U.S. administration. Her lawyer, Ken Saunders, warns that similar cases are rising — with Canadians facing tougher scrutiny, especially at land borders.
“It’s a chilling effect,” said Saunders. “We’re advising clients to reapply for visas at Canadian airports, not land crossings.”
A wider trend of detentions
Mooney’s story isn’t isolated. Immigration officials detained a German artist for over a month, held a British backpacker for 10 days, and detained a Guatemalan woman and her children for five days after she mistakenly crossed into the U.S. while driving.
These cases point to a broader shift in U.S. immigration enforcement, with many visitors — even those with valid travel history — finding themselves unexpectedly detained, sometimes for minor or technical reasons.
What travellers need to know
- Avoid land crossings for visa renewals; use Canadian airport processing instead
- Carry full documentation, especially employer letters and product details
- Expect heightened scrutiny, even for valid visa holders
- Know your rights, and contact legal help immediately if detained
Mooney plans to appeal her revoked visa and still hopes to return to the U.S. for work. For now, she’s sharing her story to speak up for the many women she met in detention — some held for months with no end in sight.
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