• Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian actress, was detained by U.S. ICE at the border for 12 days.
• Mooney attempted to renew her work visa but faced unexpected detention due to documentation issues.
• She described her conditions in detention as inhumane, raising concerns about U.S. immigration policies.
• Lawyers warn that Mooney's case reflects a broader pattern of stricter immigration enforcement.

Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney, known for her role in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, recently shared her shocking experience of being detained for 12 days by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). After traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border to renew her work visa, Mooney faced an unexpected ordeal that underscored ongoing issues with U.S. immigration policy. Detained on March 3, she had hoped to be able to complete her paperwork without issues but was instead informed that her work permit documentation was inappropriate.

Mooney recounted how she was led into a separate room upon attempting to enter through the San Ysidro port of entry. Initially expecting to be refused entry, she felt blindsided when the border officers flagged her visa paperwork. According to the New York Times, she faced questioning and confinement in a small cell, ultimately being transferred to the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

During her confinement, Mooney described harrowing conditions, stating, “I had to sleep on a mat with no blanket, no pillow, just a mylar wrap.” She expressed that she felt as if she was being treated without regard for her humanity, calling the experience akin to being "kidnapped" in chains. As she reflected on her time in custody, she noted the ongoing impacts that such harsh conditions can have on individuals in similar situations, saying, “I’m still processing everything, and I haven’t eaten proper food in a while.”

Her experience has drawn attention to the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies and the potential implications they have for individuals from Canada and other countries. Immigration attorney Jim Hacking voiced concerns that Mooney's case represents a greater trend where individuals with established legal status face detainment due to increasingly rigorous enforcement rituals at the border. He recommended non-citizens, including many Canadians, to be particularly cautious with their documentation when entering the U.S.

British Columbia Premier David Eby voiced his concerns regarding foreign relations stressed by such incidents, stating, “This woman should be brought back to Canada as quickly as possible,” indicating the potential strain on U.S.-Canada relations stemming from these policies.

Mooney’s ordeal raises significant questions about the treatment of individuals in immigration custody and the contentions surrounding U.S. immigration laws. For ongoing updates, refer to the reports from Times of India, Newsweek, and HuffPost.