Canadian actor and entrepreneur Jasmine Mooney has spoken out about her harrowing experience with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being detained at the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this month. Mooney, best known for her role in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009) and founder of the wellness brand Holy! Water, was held for three nights in what she described as “inhumane” conditions. Her ordeal highlights the complexities of U.S. immigration policies and the challenges faced by foreign nationals navigating the system.
What Happened to Jasmine Mooney?
Mooney, a Vancouver native, was traveling from Canada to Los Angeles, where she works, when her journey took an unexpected turn. At the Vancouver airport, a U.S. border officer informed her that her three-year work visa had been revoked. Determined to resolve the issue, Mooney attempted to renew her travel authorization by crossing into the U.S. through the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego, where she had originally obtained her visa.
However, upon arrival, she was detained by ICE on March 3. Mooney spent three nights at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego before being transferred to the San Luis Regional Detention Center in Arizona.
Conditions in Detention: A Shocking Account
Mooney’s description of her time in detention paints a grim picture. At Otay Mesa, she was placed in a cell with no blanket or pillow, forced to sleep on a mat with only an aluminum foil wrap for warmth.
“I was put in a cell and had to sleep on a mat with no blanket, no pillow, just an aluminum foil wrap over my body like a dead body for two and a half days,” Mooney told San Diego’s ABC affiliate, KGTV.
Her transfer to Arizona was equally distressing. Along with 30 other women, Mooney was shackled for the entire journey, which lasted 24 hours.
“We were up for 24 hours wrapped in chains,” she said. “I’ve never in my life seen anything so inhumane.”
The Broader Context: U.S. Immigration Policies Under Scrutiny
Mooney’s detention comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Canada over immigration and border policies. The Trump administration’s aggressive deportation efforts and stricter visa regulations have created challenges for foreign nationals, including Canadians, who frequently travel to the U.S. for work or leisure.
British Columbia Premier David Eby has expressed concern over Mooney’s case, urging the Canadian federal government to intervene.
“The harm this does to the U.S. economy — through impacted tourism, business relationships, and skilled workers unable to obtain visas — is reckless,” Eby told CityNews Vancouver. “This woman should be brought back to Canada as quickly as possible.”
Eby’s comments underscore the potential economic and diplomatic repercussions of such incidents, which could strain the longstanding relationship between the two nations.
Mooney’s Advocacy and Call for Change
Since her release, Mooney has become an advocate for immigration reform and improved conditions in detention centers. Her experience has shed light on the often-overlooked realities faced by detainees, particularly women, in ICE facilities.
Mooney’s case also raises questions about the transparency and fairness of U.S. immigration processes. Why was her visa revoked without prior notice? Why was she subjected to such degrading conditions despite having no criminal record? These are questions that demand answers from both U.S. and Canadian authorities.
Key Takeaways
- Jasmine Mooney’s Detention: The Canadian actor and entrepreneur was detained by ICE after her work visa was unexpectedly revoked.
- Inhumane Conditions: Mooney described sleeping on a mat with no blanket or pillow and being shackled for 24 hours during her transfer.
- Immigration Challenges: Her case highlights the difficulties faced by foreign nationals under current U.S. immigration policies.
- Diplomatic Tensions: The incident has sparked concern among Canadian officials, who fear it could harm U.S.-Canada relations.
- Advocacy for Reform: Mooney is using her platform to call for improved conditions in detention centers and fairer immigration processes.
Final Thoughts
Jasmine Mooney’s ordeal is a stark reminder of the human cost of rigid immigration policies and the need for greater transparency and compassion in their enforcement. Her story has sparked important conversations about the treatment of detainees and the impact of U.S. immigration practices on international relations.
As Mooney continues to advocate for change, her experience serves as a call to action for policymakers, activists, and the public to push for reforms that uphold human dignity and fairness.
