I'm the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped

[demmiblue]

There was no explanation, no warning. One minute, I was in an immigration office talking to an officer about my work visa, which had been approved months before and allowed me, a Canadian, to work in the US. The next, I was told to put my hands against the wall, and patted down like a criminal before being sent to an Ice detention center without the chance to talk to a lawyer.

I grew up in Whitehorse, Yukon, a small town in the northernmost part of Canada. I always knew I wanted to do something bigger with my life. I left home early and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, where I built a career spanning multiple industries – acting in film and television, owning bars and restaurants, flipping condos and managing Airbnbs.

In my 30s, I found my true passion working in the health and wellness industry. I was given the opportunity to help launch an American brand of health tonics called Holy! Water – a job that would involve moving to the US.

I was granted my trade Nafta work visa, which allows Canadian and Mexican citizens to work in the US in specific professional occupations, on my second attempt. It goes without saying, then, that I have no criminal record. I also love the US and consider myself to be a kind, hard-working person.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/canadian-detained-us-immigration-jasmine-mooney

[bucolic_frolic]

1. So to read the article, the for-profit detention and prison system is behind

our immigration policies, or at least are paid handsomely for their services.

I hope people sue.

[niyad]

8. Yes, of course.

[SheltieLover]

9. Makes me physically sick to my stomach.

[niyad]

12. Same here. What an ugly, hate-filled image we are now showing the world.

[SheltieLover]

14. Yes, but it's much bigger than just tsf & co.

Ukranian children ring a bell?

[Hotler]

15. The ugly, hate-filled image is a reflection of the MAGA voters. They created it. They should own it. nt

[PhylliPretzel]

22. Arming a genocide

doesn't improve our image either.

[surfered]

2. I am sorry that this happened to you or anyone.

The vast majority of Americans like Canada and Canadians. More than 50% of Americans voted against Trump and many of those that voted for him were bamboozeled by his lies and now regret it.

[niyad]

13. Pleas note that the OP is sharing an article.

[stoned]

3. What are the charges listed on your deportation order?

[niyad]

10. The OP is not the person who was detained.

[SheltieLover]

4. I hope this guy sues!

I wonder if they were hooded goons with no ID of their supposed govt affiliation & not displaying their names who kidnapped him?

I hope he sues & wins a huge verdict!

[niyad]

7. I do hope Jasmine sues. How utterly horrible, but in keeping with the

ugliness that is now in charge.

[moonscape]

5. Chilling article. Am sending

to my cousin who once was an overstayer. He has dual NZ/Swiss citizenship but lived in the States for 20 years. He used to get asked about his previous overstaying, be delayed sometimes on reentry, but now it doesn’t feel safe for him to visit.

The profit detention has been going on but clearly escalating now. The way she was treated is alarming.

[UpInArms]

6. Evil is in control of this country

From the article

The reality became clear: Ice detention isn’t just a bureaucratic nightmare. It’s a business. These facilities are privately owned and run for profit.

Companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group receive government funding based on the number of people they detain, which is why they lobby for stricter immigration policies. It’s a lucrative business: CoreCivic made over $560m from Ice contracts in a single year. In 2024, GEO Group made more than $763m from Ice contracts.

The more detainees, the more money they make. It stands to reason that these companies have no incentive to release people quickly. What I had experienced was finally starting to make sense.

This is not just my story. It is the story of thousands and thousands of people still trapped in a system that profits from their suffering. I am writing in the hope that someone out there – someone with the power to change any of this – can help do something.

[Nittersing]

11. This should be the headline. nt

[obamanut2012]

24. DeSantis just made one of the owners of GEO President of Florida Atlantic University in Boca

[Phoenix61]

16. It would be cheaper for the US to buy anyone who wants

to go home a first class ticket than hold them for weeks in detention. Maybe we can get the airlines to start lobbying against the detention center. Or maybe the CEO’s could have a cage match. Pick their champion, show it on tv… just jump straight back to good old feudal times.

[Just Jerome]

17. Turns out we're not living

in a computer simulation, but rather in a Kafka novel.

[BlueMTexpat]

18. Gestapo tactics, no less!

Aren't we proud?

[Fla Dem]

19. An incredible story, but disgusting. unbelievable, horrendous circumstances.

I can see holding "Criminals" in less than desirable circumstances.

But to hold women and men with no criminal background who committed no crime except not renewing their visas or on carrying them on their person 24/7, in prisons comparable to concentration camps, with no ability to reach out for help is disgusting. I am so ashamed of the United States for this treatment of human beings. What disappoints me even more is this was going on during the Biden presidency.

And all so the private prisons can make millions of dollars from the United States. Our tax money.

[karin_sj]

20. It broke my heart to read this

It's unbelievable and horrifying how far our country has sunk. Our country is now ruled by heartless, hateful, racist, and corrupt politicians and opportunistic corporations/business people who have no problem monetizing the extreme misery of people for their own purposes. And apparently, there is no shortage of guards and other employees who have no problem treating innocent people so unfairly and horribly. This saddens and depresses me to my core.

[IronLionZion]

21. Who is going to hold this administration accountable?

[JMCKUSICK]

23. I weep for our fellow humans being forced

To endure inhumane conditions such as this. The nastiness and cruelty they are being subjected to in the name of our government is unforgivable.