Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney, known for her role in “American Pie Presents: The Book of Love,” was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 3, 2025, while attempting to renew her work visa at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Mooney, 35, had been working in Los Angeles with a valid TN work visa, which was unexpectedly revoked during a visit to Vancouver in November 2024. Seeking to rectify her immigration status, she traveled to the San Ysidro border crossing near San Diego, presenting a new job offer and visa paperwork. Despite these preparations, she was denied entry and subsequently detained by ICE.
During her detention, Mooney reported facing inhumane conditions. She described being held in a cold room for three days without adequate bedding, relying only on an aluminum foil blanket. She was later transferred to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego and then to the San Luis Detention Center in Arizona. Mooney recounted that she and approximately 30 other women were shackled and transported in the middle of the night, enduring 24 hours in chains.
Her father, Stephen Mooney, expressed outrage over her treatment, highlighting the lack of due process and communication during her detention. He warned other Canadians about potential risks when dealing with U.S. immigration under the current administration.
ICE officials cited President Trump’s executive order on border security as the basis for Mooney’s detention, stating she lacked legal documentation to be in the United States.
Mooney was held for 11 days without criminal charges and was expected to be released and returned to Canada.
This incident has drawn attention to the treatment of foreign nationals by U.S. immigration authorities, especially those from allied nations like Canada. British Columbia Premier David Eby condemned the U.S. government’s actions, questioning the safety of Canadians traveling to the U.S.
Mooney’s experience underscores the challenges and potential hardships faced by individuals navigating the U.S. immigration system, even when attempting to comply with legal requirements.
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