Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian-American actress known for her role in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, has shared a terrifying ordeal after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while trying to reenter the U.S. on March 3. The incident occurred at the San Ysidro border crossing as she attempted to return to Los Angeles for work. Mooney’s experience has raised serious concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals and the shifting climate of immigration policies in the U.S.
A Career Interrupted: Mooney’s Unexpected Detainment
Jasmine Mooney was living the life of an entrepreneur and actress in Los Angeles when her world was turned upside down. The Vancouver native was back home visiting Canada when she learned that her three-year work visa had been revoked. Having built a thriving business in the wellness industry, Mooney had plans to return to the U.S. to continue her work in Los Angeles, a city that had become her second home. However, upon discovering that her visa was no longer valid, she began the process of reapplying at the U.S. border.
Her immigration lawyer had advised her that entering through the San Ysidro port of entry was still a relatively simple process for Canadians, even in the face of tightening policies. However, with the political shift following President Trump’s reelection, a growing sense of uncertainty loomed over Mooney’s reentry plans. Despite her lawyer’s warnings, Mooney proceeded to attempt to cross the border, hoping her updated paperwork would ensure a smooth return.
When she arrived at San Ysidro on March 3, she was immediately denied entry, but it wasn’t the routine process she had expected. Rather than simply being sent back, Mooney found herself detained by ICE officers. This was the beginning of what would become a deeply troubling, multi-day ordeal, one that left Mooney physically and emotionally shaken. “I was immediately shackled and treated like a criminal,” Mooney recalled, highlighting the extreme contrast between her intentions and the severe actions taken against her.
Harrowing Conditions: Life in Detention
What followed was a deeply traumatic experience that lasted days and left Mooney in a state of shock. After her initial detainment at San Ysidro, Mooney was transferred to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego. There, she was subjected to inhumane conditions that only worsened her already dire situation. “There was no pillow, no blanket, just a mat on the floor,” Mooney said. “I was wrapped in aluminum foil, like a dead body.” The lack of basic necessities and the stark, cold environment were unbearable for Mooney, who described the experience as one of the most degrading moments of her life.
The conditions at Otay Mesa were far from the typical experiences faced by individuals detained by ICE. Mooney, who had always adhered to the legal process for working in the U.S., was shocked by the lack of compassion and care from the officers overseeing her case. “I was treated like an animal,” she stated. “I’ve never felt so powerless in my life.” She spent two and a half days in the facility without any form of comfort or explanation about the next steps, deepening her sense of helplessness.
Mooney’s suffering didn’t end with her time at Otay Mesa. On March 9, she was transferred yet again, this time to the San Luis Detention Center in Arizona. During the transfer, she was forced to endure an exhausting, 24-hour journey while shackled and restricted, alongside dozens of other detainees. “We were up for 24 hours wrapped in chains,” Mooney explained, recounting the dehumanizing treatment she and her fellow detainees endured. This harrowing ordeal only added to the physical and emotional toll of her detainment, making it clear that Mooney’s experience was not an isolated incident but part of a troubling trend at the hands of ICE.
International and Political Reactions to Mooney’s Detainment
As news of Mooney’s detainment spread, it sparked widespread outrage, not just among her friends and family, but also in the broader political and international community. While the Canadian government, through Global Affairs Canada, acknowledged the detainment, it clarified that they had no ability to interfere with the U.S. immigration process. This diplomatic boundary, however, did little to alleviate the concern surrounding Mooney’s case. Many Canadians, including political figures, expressed their disbelief and frustration over the apparent disregard for Mooney’s rights.
British Columbia Premier David Eby was one of the most vocal critics of the U.S. treatment of Canadian citizens, particularly in light of the ongoing political tensions between the two countries. Eby argued that Mooney’s detention highlighted the negative impacts of current U.S. immigration policies, especially as they relate to cross-border business and personal relations. “What about our relatives who are working in the States? What about when we cross the border? What kind of an experience are we going to have?” Eby asked, emphasizing the need for Canada to address these issues at the diplomatic level.
Her business partner, BJ McCaslin, also voiced concerns over the lack of clarity regarding Mooney’s detainment. He expressed frustration over the opaque nature of the process, questioning whether Mooney was being detained for an alleged crime or simply for bureaucratic reasons. “If she’s being charged with something, we want her to have due process,” McCaslin said. “But as far as we know, it’s just a detainment. There’s been no transparency.” The uncertainty surrounding her case continues to worry those who know her, as they await further developments.
The Fight for Justice: A Glimmer of Hope
As Jasmine Mooney remains detained, her family and supporters have not given up hope. Her mother, Alexis Eagles, has been a tireless advocate, posting on social media and reaching out to officials to ensure Mooney’s safe return. Despite the grim circumstances, Eagles remains resolute in her efforts to secure her daughter’s release. “Jasmine is an adventurous and hard-working young woman, and we desperately want her home,” she wrote in a Facebook post, underscoring her unwavering support.
Mooney’s case has sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of foreign nationals at U.S. borders, particularly under the current administration. Advocates for immigration reform are using her story to push for more humane treatment of detainees and a more transparent process for those attempting to navigate U.S. immigration laws. While the situation remains fluid, Mooney’s family is determined to keep fighting for her release, and they are optimistic that their efforts, combined with public pressure, will lead to a resolution.
Though Jasmine Mooney’s ordeal has been harrowing, her resilience throughout this troubling chapter has shown her strength and determination. As her supporters continue to call for answers and action, the hope remains that justice will prevail, bringing her safely home to Canada.