Morgane Oger

VANCOUVER, Canada — The United States has intensified its scrutiny of foreign nationals at its borders, leading to an increasing number of detentions. Recent cases, including the high-profile detentions of a Canadian actress, a Palestinian activist, and several professionals and travelers from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, highlight a pattern of aggressive immigration enforcement. These incidents raise serious concerns about the safety of international visitors, lawful residents, and even those with valid visas.

By Morgane Oger

The Detention of Jasmine Mooney

On March 3, 2025, Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian actress and entrepreneur, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the San Ysidro border crossing while attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. While Mooney initially believed she had a valid work visa, ICE later cited a prior visa revocation and missing documentation as justification for detaining her.

Mooney described being held in freezing cells, shackled during transfers, and given minimal access to basic necessities. She was reportedly housed at the San Luis Detention Center in Arizona, where detainees sleep on mats with foil blankets. She was released after approximately 12 days, though reports suggest that legal complications with her visa status contributed to the delay.

“It felt like I had been kidnapped,” Mooney told The Guardian. (Source: The Guardian, CBS News)

Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil

On March 8, 2025, Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-American activist and Columbia University graduate student, was arrested by ICE agents. Despite being a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Khalil was detained under a rarely used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows deportation for individuals whose presence is deemed to have “serious adverse foreign policy consequences”.

Khalil’s detention followed his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. A federal judge temporarily blocked his deportation on March 13, citing First Amendment concerns. Civil rights groups warn that his case sets a dangerous precedent in which political activism could be grounds for immigration enforcement. (Source: Wall Street Journal, CNN)

Additional Cases of Foreign Nationals Detained at U.S. Borders

Recent months have seen a dramatic rise in detentions of visa holders, green card residents, and tourists under aggressive immigration policies. Among them:

• Fabian Schmidt: A German national and U.S. permanent resident, Schmidt was detained at Boston Logan International Airport due to minor past offenses. He reported harsh interrogation tactics by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. (Source: The Verge)
• Dr. Rasha Alawieh: A Lebanese doctor on an H-1B visa, Alawieh was deported after CBP agents found photos of Hezbollah leaders on her phone, despite a court order temporarily halting her deportation. (Source: The Verge)
• Badar Khan Suri: An Indian national and Georgetown University researcher, Suri was detained by ICE on allegations of promoting antisemitic rhetoric online. Civil rights groups have raised concerns about the U.S. using social media activity as justification for detentions. (Source: New York Post)
• Jessica Brösche and Lucas Sielaff: Two German nationals detained at a U.S. border crossing, leading Germany to update its travel advisories for the United States. (Source: Euronews)
• Rebecca Burke: A 28-year-old British backpacker, Burke was detained for 19 days due to a visa issue. While she believed she was participating in a cultural exchange program, ICE determined that her activities required a work visa. Burke was held in a Washington state detention center, forced to wear an orange jumpsuit, and had limited access to phone calls and meals appropriate for her vegan diet. (Source: The Sun)

The Expansion of U.S. Executive Powers Over Immigration

In an escalation of immigration enforcement, President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on March 15, 2025. This rarely used law, previously invoked during World War I and World War II, enables the mass detention and deportation of individuals deemed national security threats.

Initially, the administration framed the policy as targeting suspected gang members, but civil rights organizations warn that it could be expanded to activists and individuals of specific nationalities. (Source: Newsweek)

Warning Signs of Increased Immigration Repression

Legal experts have identified several indicators that conditions could worsen:

1. Increased Detentions of Foreign Nationals – Visa holders and green card residents are facing unexpected detentions for minor or administrative violations.
2. Expanded Border Surveillance – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is ramping up digital searches, reviewing travelers’ phone contents and online activity.
3. Legal Rule Changes for Deportations – The Department of Justice has introduced proposals that broaden deportation criteria for national security cases.
4. Crackdowns on Political Protesters – ICE and DHS officials have signaled intentions to target foreign nationals involved in political activism.

Calls for Canada and Other Governments: Update Travel Advisories

Canada currently warns travelers about gun violence and police brutality in the U.S., but it does not warn about increased risks of detention or persecution on the basis of gender identity or expression. Given recent events:

• Foreign governments should update travel warnings to reflect the increased risk of arbitrary detention.
• Legal support for detained nationals should be strengthened, especially for those traveling under contested visa categories.
• Individuals traveling to the U.S. should take precautions, including ensuring that their documentation is indisputable and someone they trust knows where they are.

As of March 20, 2025, Global Affairs Canada has acknowledged Mooney’s detention but has not updated its travel advisory. (Source: Global Affairs Canada)

Reassess Travel to the U.S.

The recent detentions of Jasmine Mooney, Mahmoud Khalil, and others indicate a growing use of discretionary immigration enforcement.

While the U.S. still maintains judicial oversight, the increasing use of broad national security laws, visa revocations, and digital surveillance pose new risks to foreign travelers and residents.

Until these policies are clarified, foreign nationals—especially activists, journalists, and individuals targeted because of their personal characteristics or their beliefs—should reconsider travel to the U.S.

Stay informed. Stay cautious.