Apparently she made mistakes on her visa application & entered at the wrong border crossing
@The Question
But still no one should get arrested & end up in a detention center merely for applying for a work visa. She wasnt importing terrorism drugs nor attempted to enter your country illegally
She was attempting to enter on a revoked visa. Yes, that's illegal. Granted, the manacles seem excessive, and reportage indicates that the conditions of the detention facilities aren't exactly... pleasant.
USA has become full blown xenophobic
Yes, they're racist against pasty white former actresses, now.
Full breakdown:
Detention of Jasmine Mooney by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: A Comprehensive Analysis
1. Executive Summary:
On March 3, 2025, Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian citizen, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the San Ysidro port of entry while attempting to renew her US work visa. This report provides a detailed analysis of the events surrounding her detention, which lasted for twelve days and involved transfers to multiple detention facilities in California and Arizona. The case raises significant questions regarding the application of US immigration policies, the conditions within ICE detention centers, and the implications for cross-border travel between the United States and Canada. Initial reports suggested a straightforward visa denial, but further investigation reveals a more complex situation involving the revocation of a previous visa, immediate detention upon re-entry attempt, and allegations of harsh treatment. The responses from both US and Canadian authorities, along with the perspectives of Ms. Mooney, her family, and legal experts, are examined to provide a comprehensive understanding of this incident and its broader context.
2. Introduction:
The recent detention of Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian woman, by ICE at the San Diego port of entry garnered initial media attention through an ABC News report. However, concerns have been raised regarding the completeness of this initial coverage, prompting a more in-depth examination of the circumstances surrounding her arrest and subsequent detention. This report aims to provide a comprehensive and analytical account of these events, drawing upon a range of news sources to offer a more complete understanding than initially presented. The case of Ms. Mooney is significant as it highlights potential complexities and challenges faced by Canadian citizens attempting to navigate US immigration procedures, particularly in the current political climate. Furthermore, allegations of mistreatment within detention facilities raise important human rights considerations and may have implications for the relationship between the United States and Canada.
3. Background of Jasmine Mooney:
3.1 Personal and Professional Profile:
Jasmine Mooney is a 35-year-old Canadian citizen with a diverse professional background 1. She is an entrepreneur and the founder of Holy! Water, a health drink brand 2. Additionally, she co-founded the Banter Room restaurant in Vancouver and was recognized as one of BC Business magazine's "30 under 30" young businesspeople to watch in 2019 2. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Ms. Mooney has also had involvement in the entertainment industry, notably appearing in the 2009 film "American Pie Presents: The Book of Love" 1. This multifaceted background suggests an individual with established ties and a history of professional engagement, both in Canada and the United States.
3.2 Previous US Visa Status and Revocation:
Ms. Mooney had previously been granted a three-year TN (Trade NAFTA) work visa, which allowed her to live and work in Los Angeles starting in the summer of 2024 2. This visa unexpectedly was revoked in November 2024 while she was visiting her family in British Columbia 2. The reported reason for this revocation varies slightly across sources. Some accounts indicate that a customs officer at Vancouver Airport cited a paperwork issue, specifically the lack of a proper letterhead on her documents 2. Other reports provide a more general explanation, referring simply to a "paperwork issue" without further elaboration 7. The revocation of a valid work visa for what appears to be a minor administrative oversight is a crucial element of this case. It suggests that Ms. Mooney was not attempting to enter the US without prior authorization but rather was seeking to rectify a situation that arose from a seemingly technicality. This context is important for understanding the subsequent decision to detain her rather than simply deny her entry.
4. The Arrest and Initial Detention at the San Ysidro Port of Entry:
4.1 Date and Location:
On Monday, March 3, 2025, Ms. Mooney attempted to enter the United States from Mexico at the San Ysidro border crossing, which connects Tijuana and San Diego 1. Her intention was to renew her TN visa, a process for which she had previously entered the US successfully via Mexico 1. This suggests that Ms. Mooney believed she was following a legitimate procedure based on past experience.
4.2 Circumstances of the Arrest:
Despite possessing a new job offer and what she believed to be the necessary visa paperwork, Ms. Mooney was flagged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers due to the prior revocation of her visa 1. Instead of being permitted to return to Mexico, she was immediately detained by ICE for allegedly lacking legal documentation to be in the United States 1. An ICE spokesperson stated that Ms. Mooney's detention was carried out in accordance with President Donald Trump's "Securing Our Borders" Executive Order, dated January 21 1. This executive order grants immigration authorities broad powers to detain and remove individuals suspected of violating US immigration law, regardless of their nationality 1. The immediate detention of Ms. Mooney, rather than a simple denial of entry and guidance on proper visa application procedures, indicates a potentially strict interpretation and application of this executive order. The fact that she was actively attempting to obtain legal status with a new job offer further highlights the severity of this response.
4.3 Initial Holding Conditions:
Following her detention, Ms. Mooney reported being held in a cold room at the San Ysidro border crossing for three nights 2. She described the conditions as lacking basic necessities, stating that she had to sleep on a mat without a blanket or pillow and used an aluminum foil wrapper for warmth 2. These initial accounts raise concerns about the basic standards of care provided to individuals in custody, even during the initial holding period at the border.
5. Subsequent Detention and Transfers:
5.1 Otay Mesa Detention Center (San Diego):
After three nights at the border, Ms. Mooney was transferred to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, where she was held for an additional three nights, approximately from March 6th to March 9th 1. This transfer to a more established detention facility suggests a continuation and escalation of her detention beyond a temporary border holding. While Ms. Mooney reported harsh conditions in subsequent facilities, a spokesperson for the private company operating the Otay Mesa Detention Center refuted allegations regarding the food provided, asserting that "nutritious" meals are served daily to inmates 6. This discrepancy highlights the potential for differing perspectives on the conditions within detention facilities.
5.2 San Luis Regional Detention Center (Arizona):
Around March 9th, Ms. Mooney was transferred to the San Luis Regional Detention Center in Arizona 1. According to her mother, Alexis Eagles, Ms. Mooney and approximately 30 other individuals were forcibly removed from their cells at 3:00 am for this transfer 1. Ms. Mooney described the conditions at the San Luis facility as particularly severe. She reported being housed in a single concrete cell with no natural light, where fluorescent lights remained constantly on. Basic amenities such as mats and blankets were allegedly absent, and bathroom facilities were limited 1. Furthermore, she claimed that during the transfer to Arizona, she and other detainees were "up for 24 hours wrapped in chains" 2. The transfer to a facility in Arizona, far from the initial point of detention in California, indicates a significant escalation in the handling of her case. The reported conditions at the San Luis Detention Center align with descriptions of "inhumane" treatment by Ms. Mooney and her family, raising serious concerns about the welfare of detainees. The alleged use of restraints like chains, particularly for an individual not accused of any criminal offense, presents a significant human rights issue. The timing and manner of the transfer further contribute to the perception of harsh and potentially punitive treatment.
6. Official Statements and Justifications:
6.1 ICE Statement Analysis:
ICE's official statement regarding Ms. Mooney's detention consistently cited her lack of legal documentation to be in the United States as the primary reason for her arrest on March 3rd 1. The agency also emphasized that her processing was conducted in accordance with President Trump's "Securing Our Borders" Executive Order, issued on January 21 1. This executive order broadly mandates the arrest, detention, and removal of any non-citizens found to be in violation of US immigration law 1. While the statement provides a rationale for the detention, it does not fully address the context of Ms. Mooney's situation. She was not attempting to enter the US surreptitiously but rather presented herself at a port of entry with visa paperwork and a job offer, seeking to regularize her immigration status following the unexpected revocation of her previous visa. The application of the "Securing Our Borders" Executive Order in this instance raises questions about the proportionality of the response. Was immediate detention the only recourse, or could other administrative procedures have been considered given her attempts to comply with immigration laws? The broad scope of the executive order appears to have been applied in a manner that did not fully account for the specific circumstances of Ms. Mooney's case.
6.2 Canadian Government Response Analysis:
The Canadian government, through statements from Global Affairs Canada, acknowledged the detention of a Canadian citizen in the US and confirmed that consular officials were in contact with local authorities to gather information and provide assistance 1. However, a spokesperson emphasized the limitations of the Canadian government's ability to intervene in another country's immigration regulations, citing the principle of national sovereignty over border control 1. This response reflects the delicate balance between a government's responsibility to protect its citizens abroad and the need to respect the legal processes of other nations. In contrast, British Columbia Premier David Eby issued a stronger statement, expressing concern over Ms. Mooney's situation and urging the federal government to take all possible diplomatic action to ensure her return 2. This more assertive stance likely reflects the public concern within British Columbia, Ms. Mooney's home province, and underscores the potential political ramifications of such incidents on bilateral relations. The differing tones between the federal and provincial responses highlight the complexities of navigating international incidents involving citizens abroad.
7. Timeline of Events:
Date | Event | Details |
March 3, 2025 | Attempted Entry & Detention | Ms. Mooney attempted to enter the US from Mexico at the San Ysidro border crossing to renew her TN visa. She was flagged due to a previous visa revocation and immediately detained by ICE for lacking legal documentation 1. |
March 3-6 | Initial Holding | Held in a cold room at the San Ysidro border crossing, reportedly without adequate amenities 2. |
March 6-9 | Otay Mesa Detention | Transferred to and held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego 1. |
March 9 | False Release Indication | An online detainee locator briefly indicated Ms. Mooney's release 1. |
March 10 | Transfer to Arizona | Forcibly removed from her cell at 3:00 am and transferred to the San Luis Regional Detention Center in Arizona. Allegedly transported in chains for 24 hours 1. |
March 10-14 | Detention in Arizona | Held in reportedly harsh conditions at the San Luis Detention Center 1. |
March 14 | Expected Release | Her father anticipated her release and return to Canada 1. |
March 15 | Return to Canada | Ms. Mooney returned to Vancouver, Canada 11. |
The timeline reveals a sequence of events that escalated from an attempted visa renewal to a prolonged detention involving multiple transfers and concerning conditions. The brief indication of release on March 9th, followed by a transfer to a more distant facility, highlights potential issues with the transparency and communication within the detention system, causing additional distress to Ms. Mooney and her family. The alleged use of chains during transportation on March 10th further underscores the harshness of her treatment while in custody.
8. Perspectives and Reactions:
8.1 Jasmine Mooney's Account:
Ms. Mooney described her experience as feeling like she had been "kidnapped" 1. She characterized the conditions in the detention facilities as "brutal and inhumane," specifically mentioning the lack of basic amenities like blankets and pillows, and the constant fluorescent lighting 2. She also recounted being held in chains for an extended period during her transfer 2. Ms. Mooney expressed confusion regarding the reasons for her detention, particularly the explanation that she was "unprofessional" due to a missing letterhead on her application 2. Upon her return to Canada, she suggested that the support from her family, friends, and the media played a significant role in securing her release 11. Her personal account paints a picture of a distressing and bewildering experience, raising serious questions about the treatment of individuals within the US immigration detention system, especially when the initial issue appears to be administrative rather than criminal in nature.
8.2 Family's Perspective (Alexis and Stephen Mooney):
Ms. Mooney's parents, Alexis Eagles and Stephen Mooney, voiced significant emotional distress and concern throughout their daughter's detention 1. They condemned the treatment she received as "inhumane and deeply concerning," emphasizing the lack of due process and communication from the detention centers 1. Mr. Mooney expressed relief upon his daughter's expected release but also conveyed his shock and concern about her being in shackles and handcuffs for much of her detention 6. Ms. Eagles stated that she had been unable to sleep due to worry and likened her daughter's treatment to that of cattle in Canada 2. She also mentioned purchasing a plane ticket for her daughter and hoping for ICE approval 1. Both parents indicated their belief that high-level conversations and media attention likely contributed to Ms. Mooney's eventual release 6. They also issued warnings to other Canadians traveling to the US, highlighting the unpredictability of the current border situation 6. The family's emotional responses and strong condemnation of the treatment underscore the significant human impact of such detentions and raise concerns about the fairness and transparency of the process.
8.3 Immigration Lawyer's Analysis (Len Saunders):
Immigration lawyer Len Saunders, who had spoken with Ms. Mooney prior to her attempted entry, described her prolonged detention as unusual for someone in her situation 2. He noted that typically, individuals with visa issues are simply denied entry and sent back to their country of origin. Mr. Saunders speculated that the Trump administration might be using Ms. Mooney's case as an example, particularly given the heightened tensions between the US and Canada regarding border issues 2. He also pointed out that entering the US through the San Ysidro port of entry for visa renewal had historically been a straightforward process for Canadian citizens 2. His professional assessment suggests that Ms. Mooney's detention was not a standard procedure for a minor paperwork issue and hints at potential political or policy-driven factors influencing the decision.
8.4 Canadian Officials' Reactions (Premier Eby, Global Affairs Canada):
Premier David Eby of British Columbia expressed strong concern over Ms. Mooney's detention, stating that it "reinforces the anxiety that many British Columbians have and many Canadians have about our relationship with the United States right now and the unpredictability of this administration in its actions" 2. He urged the federal government to do everything possible through diplomatic channels to secure her release 2. This reflects a political dimension to the case and acknowledges the broader public apprehension in Canada regarding US border policies. In contrast, Global Affairs Canada offered more measured statements, confirming their awareness of the situation and provision of consular assistance 1. While expressing concern, their statements also emphasized the limitations of intervening in another country's immigration matters 1. This approach aligns with established diplomatic protocols but may not fully satisfy public expectations for government action in such cases.
9. Analysis and Implications:
The detention of Jasmine Mooney occurred shortly after President Donald Trump's return to office and the signing of the "Securing Our Borders" Executive Order 1. This timing suggests a potential link between her experience and a broader shift towards stricter immigration enforcement policies under the new administration. The incident also took place against a backdrop of increasing tensions between the United States and Canada over border-related issues such as the flow of fentanyl and trade disputes 2. Immigration lawyer Len Saunders' speculation that Ms. Mooney's case might have been used as an example in this context warrants consideration 2. This case carries significant implications for Canadians traveling to the US, particularly those seeking visa renewals or crossing the border for work purposes. It highlights the potential for unexpected and stringent enforcement of immigration laws, even in situations involving administrative oversights rather than serious violations. The reported conditions within the detention facilities and the alleged treatment of Ms. Mooney, who was not accused of any crime, raise serious human rights concerns. The lack of due process and the difficulties her family faced in obtaining information about her well-being are particularly troubling. The eventual release of Ms. Mooney appears to have been influenced by media attention and potential diplomatic pressure. This suggests the importance of public scrutiny and advocacy in ensuring the fair treatment of individuals within the immigration system.
10. Conclusion:
The detention of Jasmine Mooney by ICE at the San Diego port of entry reveals a complex situation that extends beyond a simple visa denial. Her experience highlights the potential for stringent application of US immigration policies, particularly in the context of the "Securing Our Borders" Executive Order. The circumstances surrounding her previous visa revocation and the immediate detention upon her attempt to re-enter the US raise questions about the proportionality of the response. Furthermore, the reported conditions within the detention facilities and the allegations of harsh treatment underscore significant human rights concerns. The differing responses from Canadian officials reflect the delicate balance between diplomatic norms and the need to advocate for citizens abroad. Ultimately, Ms. Mooney's case serves as a stark reminder of the potential challenges and uncertainties faced by Canadians traveling to the United States and underscores the importance of remaining informed about current immigration regulations and the need for continued attention to due process and humane treatment within immigration enforcement systems.