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Actress Jasmine Mooney, known for her work in American Pie and Badge of Honor, has finally returned home after a grueling two weeks held by U.S. immigration officials, describing it as “a deeply disturbing psychological experiment.”
Things first took a turn back in November 2024 when her U.S. work visa was revoked while she was trying to travel from Vancouver to Los Angeles, where she lives and runs her company: a drink firm called Holy! Water.
Highlights
- Jasmine Mooney was detained for 2 weeks by ICE due to issues with her visa.
- The actress was held in harsh conditions at San Luis Regional Detention Center.
- She plans to advocate for detained women's rights and share her story.
But the headache officially started when the 35-year-old had her visa completely voided by an officer at the Vancouver airport, who did not provide any further explanation.
BP Daily - Your Source for Unbiased Reporting
Jasmine Mooney has broken her silence regarding her time in detention center after being detained by ICE officials
Image credits: CTV News
Her lawyer advised her to first fly to Mexico and go to the border with proof of a new job offer, then ask for paperwork to be granted a new work visa—only for Mooney to be told she needed to go to a US consulate in order to obtain the required papers.
However, ICE officials then detained her, confirming to the actress that she didn’t have the legal right to be in the United States.
There, Mooney claimed she endured some of the harshest treatment, leaving her weak and confused, first being detained at the San Ysidro border before being forcibly transferred to the San Luis Regional Detention Center in Arizona at three in the morning.
Image credits: Universal Pictures
According to her mother, the actress and about 30 other people were “housed together in a single concrete cell with no natural light, fluorescent lights that are never turned off, no mats, no blankets, and limited bathroom facilities.”
Now that she’s back on Canadian soil, the 35-year-old is adamant—and justifiably emotional—about sharing what happened to her.
“Thank you for all your messages of support,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’m sorry if I haven’t been able to respond to everyone—just got home after what felt like escaping a deeply disturbing psychological experiment.
“I am beyond grateful for my friends, family, and the media who worked tirelessly to get me out—without them, I’d still be there. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone.”
Her work visa had been revoked back in November 2024
Image credits: Universal Pictures
Image credits: jasminemooney
During her time in prison, the entrepreneur wrote an essay about all she experienced, saying she would share it soon to the public. She affirmed that she wouldn’t let what happened “break” her, but would instead use it as a way to help others.
But if there was one silver lining to be found through all of this, it was the “incredible strong and resilient women” Mooney had the honor of meeting. The community they built, she claimed, may have started from “pure desperation,” but it gave her “profound hope for humanity.”
“I look forward to giving them a voice,” she promised.
Appearing on ABC 10, the actress said, “I really want to be a voice for the women in here, because what is happening is so unjust and I know that there’s a better way to do this.”
Mooney plans on being a voice for other women
Image credits: jasminemooney
Even after she touched down in Vancouver, Mooney has been kept in the dark about why she was locked up in the first place, according to CTV News.
“I still don’t even know how I’m home,” she admitted. “My friends and family and the media are the reason, I think, that I’m home.”
When the conversation geared towards President Donald Trump’s newest border policies, Mooney seemed uncertain about whether he played a role in her detainment.
“I have no idea,” she said. “I don’t want to point fingers at anything. I really — I don’t know. But, obviously, people can speculate what they want.”
One comment said the blame lay on Mooney’s lawyer
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What do you think ?
Jo Firth 8 months ago
To all those people commenting that it's great actors are treated as poorly as everyone else ... think about that. You are happy that your country is treating people like s**t. People who have done work that most white Americans think is below them. Well done.
BeesEelsAndPups 8 months ago
It is a sickness. To paraphrase a term from the right, it's the racist mind virus.
Load More Replies...
M Whee 8 months ago
I'm not debating if she should have been detained, but we are supposedly a civilized nation that should be embarrassed to treat prisoners as if we were living in a third world country. We can do better.
BeesEelsAndPups 8 months ago
She legally presented herself at a border crossing. She should have been denied entry, sure, but then sent to the American consulate in Mexico. Not detained.
Load More Replies...
I Need More Espresso 8 months ago
Immigrants have to apply for certain work permits at border points. This is the legal process. It's bizarre but what happens. It was how I had to apply for my first Canadian work permit- I was advised that I could apply on moving day but I opted to drive to a border crossing prior to moving - received a work permit, had it in hand on moving day. I have friends in the US who have to report to a border crossing to renew their work permits (British citizens working in US).
Lex T. (Fiendish) 8 months ago
She was trying to apply for a new visa. She was doing exactly what you described. Regardless, she did nothing to deserve being put in those conditions. Neither have any of the people being detained that way. Civilized nations don't do this. Whether their application is rejected or accepted, 2 weeks in a concrete cube is a wild punishment.
Load More Replies... Jo Firth 8 months ago
To all those people commenting that it's great actors are treated as poorly as everyone else ... think about that. You are happy that your country is treating people like s**t. People who have done work that most white Americans think is below them. Well done.
BeesEelsAndPups 8 months ago
It is a sickness. To paraphrase a term from the right, it's the racist mind virus.
Load More Replies... M Whee 8 months ago
I'm not debating if she should have been detained, but we are supposedly a civilized nation that should be embarrassed to treat prisoners as if we were living in a third world country. We can do better.
BeesEelsAndPups 8 months ago
She legally presented herself at a border crossing. She should have been denied entry, sure, but then sent to the American consulate in Mexico. Not detained.
Load More Replies... I Need More Espresso 8 months ago
Immigrants have to apply for certain work permits at border points. This is the legal process. It's bizarre but what happens. It was how I had to apply for my first Canadian work permit- I was advised that I could apply on moving day but I opted to drive to a border crossing prior to moving - received a work permit, had it in hand on moving day. I have friends in the US who have to report to a border crossing to renew their work permits (British citizens working in US).
Lex T. (Fiendish) 8 months ago
She was trying to apply for a new visa. She was doing exactly what you described. Regardless, she did nothing to deserve being put in those conditions. Neither have any of the people being detained that way. Civilized nations don't do this. Whether their application is rejected or accepted, 2 weeks in a concrete cube is a wild punishment.
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