Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian actress and co-founder of the wellness brand Holy! Water, recently shared her harrowing experience of being detained by U.S. immigration authorities after attempting to apply for a visa at the San Ysidro port of entry.
Background
For most of her life, the 35-year-old Mooney has crossed back and forth between her native Canada and the United States, having worked in California until her U.S. visa was revoked last year. Following this, she secured a new job in the U.S. and returned to the border to apply for a TN visa, which is designated for Canadian and Mexican professionals.
The Unexpected Detention
Upon arriving at the San Ysidro center, Mooney was shocked when she was taken into custody. “They took me, they took all of my luggage. They took my phone, my hands against the wall,” she recounted. Despite having no criminal record and following her lawyer’s advice, she was detained for a total of 12 days.
Conditions in Detention
Mooney described her first 48 hours in a holding cell as “inhumane.” She received a thin mat and an aluminum foil blanket that was inadequate for the cold conditions. “I laid on the cement floor for two days, and no one told me what was going on,” she said, emphasizing the psychological toll of the experience.
Support and Solidarity
After being transferred to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, Mooney found herself alongside approximately 150 other women, all of whom shared similar stories of visa issues. “Every single woman in my unit, none of us had a criminal record,” she noted. Many of these women had valid working visas that had expired or had been denied renewal.
A Mission to Share
During her time in detention, Mooney became close with fellow detainees, including women from Iran and India who had fled persecution in their home countries. “They felt like people were going to listen to you,” Mooney recalled, referring to her newfound friends’ belief in her ability to advocate for their plight.
The Aftermath
Upon her release, Mooney expressed gratitude for the media coverage and political advocacy that helped secure her freedom. “I had the media. I had politicians advocating for me. I had lawyers. I had everything that I could possibly get working for me,” she stated, contrasting her situation with that of other detainees who lacked similar support.
Commitment to Advocacy
Now back in Canada, Mooney is committed to using her voice to raise awareness about the immigration system and the experiences of those who are not as fortunate as she was. “I need to share this. I need to tell people that this is happening. This isn’t just my story. This is happening very regularly now,” she emphasized.
Official Response
In response to inquiries about Mooney’s detention, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that they could not disclose details about specific cases but confirmed that Mooney was detained for lacking legal documentation to be in the U.S. “All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention, and, if found removable by final order, removal from the U.S., regardless of nationality,” the spokesperson added.
Conclusion
Jasmine Mooney’s experience sheds light on the complexities and harsh realities of the U.S. immigration system, particularly for those who may not have the same resources and support to navigate it. Her journey highlights the critical need for reform and increased awareness surrounding immigration policies.
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