Denied entry into the US for storing photoshopped image of Vice President JD Vance

Traveler Mads Mikkelsen, 21, from Norway, was searched at New Jersey's Newark airport after immigration officers discovered a meme of US Vice President 'bald JD Vance' on his phone.

Mads Mikkelsen arrived in the US on June 11 to visit friends in New York, Austin, Texas, but was taken to a border control room as he was about to enter the country. He told the press that he was subjected to "harassment and abuse of power" by US immigration officers. There, he "had to hand over" his phone.

“I felt stigmatized and simply humiliated there, in front of many other people at the airport,” Mads recounted, adding: “They took me to a room with several armed guards, where I had to hand over my shoes, mobile phone and backpack.”

Officers questioned Mads about the purpose of his trip and his plans before launching into a series of personal questions. “They asked direct questions about drug trafficking, terrorist plans and right-wing extremism, completely without any reason,” he told Norwegian news agency Nordlys.

Meme image of US Vice President JD Vance found on tourist's phone - PHOTO: THE MIRROR

“They asked for complete information about everyone I would meet in the US, including their names, addresses, phone numbers and jobs. I had been flying for 12 hours, hadn’t slept well, and was completely exhausted physically and mentally even before they started questioning me,” he said.

“They threatened me with a minimum fine of $5,000 or five years in prison if I refused to give up my phone password,” he recounted.

After handing over his password, Mads was told he would not be allowed to take his planned vacation because of two images found on his phone. One was a meme of Vice President JD Vance with a bald egg-shaped head. Variations of the image were shared repeatedly on social media in March, with the Vice President himself posting his own version.

The other photo shows Mads holding a wooden pipe he made years ago. “Both photos were automatically saved to my camera roll from a chat app, but I really didn’t think these harmless photos would prevent me from entering the US,” he shared.

Mads tried to say the images were harmless and just a joke, but immigration officials ignored his pleas. He said he was then subjected to a full-body search, forced to give a blood sample, have his face scanned and fingerprints taken.

He was locked in the room for another five hours, denied food or water, and put on a plane back to Oslo the same day he arrived.

Mads said he was stopped by police at Newark Airport - PHOTO: NURPHOTO

Mathias Rongved, a spokesman for Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned other Norwegians that they have an obligation to familiarize themselves with US regulations before entering the country. "Most trips to the US go without any particular problems," he said.

"Entry regulations can change at short notice and it is the responsibility of travellers to have the correct documentation and be aware of current entry regulations. The immigration authorities on arrival will decide whether you will be refused entry at the border.

The Norwegian government cannot intervene in this decision. We also do not necessarily receive notice from border authorities of other countries or Norwegian tourists if they are not allowed to enter a certain country," he emphasized.

Earlier in March, a French scientist was also denied entry at the border, after immigration officers discovered messages criticizing President Trump on his phone.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bi-tu-choi-nhap-canh-my-vi-luu-anh-che-pho-tong-thong-jd-vance-185250625083417035.htm