He Traveled Through Sister’s Funeral, Returned to US
- work visa was deported after returning from his sister's funeral in Australia, according to the man.
- Jonathan, who requested his last name be withheld, told The Guardian he traveled to Australia with only a small backpack to attend a ceremony to spread his sister's...
- After fulfilling his family commitment,Jonathan boarded a flight with a layover in Houston,Texas.
Australian Man Deported from U.S. After Sister’s Funeral,Claims Visa Cancelled Over ‘Intention to Permanence’
Table of Contents
- Australian Man Deported from U.S. After Sister’s Funeral,Claims Visa Cancelled Over ‘Intention to Permanence’
- Australian Man Deported After Funeral: What Happened?
- What Happened to Jonathan?
- Why Was Jonathan Denied Re-Entry?
- What Were the Specifics of Jonathan’s Experience?
- What is “Intention to Permanence?”
- What Type of Visa did Jonathan Have?
- How Did Authorities Accuse Jonathan of Drug Trafficking?
- What Were the Conditions of His Detention?
- Did Jonathan Have Legal Representation?
- What Did Jonathan Say About the Reason for His Deportation?
- What Was the Agent’s Statement Regarding His Visa Cancellation?
- What is Jonathan’s Partner’s Viewpoint?
- Summary Table of Key Events
HOUSTON (AP) — An Australian man with a valid U.S. work visa was deported after returning from his sister’s funeral in Australia, according to the man. Immigration authorities at Houston’s airport denied him re-entry, canceled his visa, and barred him from returning to the U.S. for five years.
Denied Re-entry After Brief trip Home
Jonathan, who requested his last name be withheld, told The Guardian he traveled to Australia with only a small backpack to attend a ceremony to spread his sister’s ashes. He intended to return promptly to the United States, where he has lived with his partner for seven years, working as an independent professional.
Detained and Interrogated in Houston
After fulfilling his family commitment,Jonathan boarded a flight with a layover in Houston,Texas. Upon arrival, he was pulled aside by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.He was taken to a room with other detainees, including citizens from South America, Canada, Britain, and Germany.
Initially, Jonathan said, officers offered to contact the Australian consulate, but he declined, believing it needless. “I thought they would simply give my passport and let me go,” he said.
Accusations of drug Trafficking
The situation escalated when officials accused him of drug trafficking. According to Jonathan, they said, “We know that you have two mobile phones. We have been tracking your calls. We know you’ve been selling drugs.”
Jonathan denied the accusations, stating he only had one phone and does not use drugs. When he refused to provide his phone’s password, he requested a lawyer but was told he did not have that right. He was given a brochure and compelled to hand over his phone and smartwatch.
Visa Cancelled Over Residency Question
Jonathan said an agent implied he had worked for “inappropriate people” and transported human remains. Representatives from the Centers for Disease control and Prevention were even called to inspect the empty urn.
The situation worsened when he confirmed he resided in the United States. He was asked, “Do you live here?” He was then informed that this answer demonstrated an “intention to permanence,” leading to the cancellation of his visa.
Five-Year Ban from U.S.
Jonathan stated he had used the same visa at least 20 times without issue. However, this time, the agent informed him that his visa was canceled, and he could not enter the United States for five years, even in transit. He was given an official document classifying him as an immigrant without a valid visa under immigration law.
He signed the document. “Trump has returned. We are doing things as we should always have done them,” Jonathan recalled one of the agents saying.
‘Dog Food’ and Thermal Blankets
Jonathan spent over 30 hours without outside contact. He slept in a common room with thermal blankets and was given food he described as resembling “dog food.” Eventually, an agent escorted him to his plane, returning his phone, watch, and passport just before landing in australia.
“They didn’t give me any valid reason to cancel my visa,” he said from sydney. His partner, who remains in the United States, told The Guardian via email: “we live together, and although I cannot take time off work right now, all I want is to meet him as soon as possible.”
Australian Man Deported After Funeral: What Happened?
this article dives into the story of an Australian man, Jonathan (last name withheld), who was deported from the U.S. after attending his sister’s funeral, according to a report in The Guardian. Let’s break down the events and explore the implications.
What Happened to Jonathan?
Jonathan, who held a valid U.S. work visa, traveled to Australia for his sister’s funeral. Upon his return to the U.S.,he was denied re-entry,his visa was canceled,and he was given a five-year ban from the country.
Why Was Jonathan Denied Re-Entry?
According to Jonathan, the immigration authorities cited his “intention to permanence” as the reason for canceling his visa. This came about specifically because he confirmed that he resided in the United States.
What Were the Specifics of Jonathan’s Experience?
Let’s look at the timeline of events:
Travel to Australia: Jonathan traveled with a small backpack to spread his sister’s ashes.
Detainment: Upon returning to the U.S. at Houston’s airport, he was pulled aside by ICE agents.
Interrogation: he was questioned and accused of drug trafficking, which he denied. He was allegedly told, “We know that you have two mobile phones. We have been tracking your calls. We know you’ve been selling drugs.”
Phone & Watch confiscated: When Jonathan refused to provide his phone password, he had his phone and smartwatch taken from him.
Visa Cancellation: He was informed that his visa was canceled due to “intention to permanence.”
Five-Year Ban: He was given a document stating he was barred from entering the U.S. for five years.
Deportation: he was deported back to australia and spent over 30 hours in detention.
What is “Intention to Permanence?”
The concept of “intention to permanence” arises in immigration law.It refers to the idea that a non-immigrant visa holder is showing a desire to live permanently in the United States. This is usually a factor that immigration officers consider when determining if someone is eligible to maintain a non-immigrant visa and enter the U.S.
What Type of Visa did Jonathan Have?
The article states Jonathan had a valid U.S. work visa. The specific type of work visa is not explicitly stated in the source, but it’s key to note that he had used the same visa to enter the U.S. at least 20 times without issue before this incident.
According to Jonathan, immigration officials accused him of selling drugs. They claimed to have been tracking his calls and knew he possessed two mobile phones. He denied the accusations and stated that he only had one phone.
What Were the Conditions of His Detention?
Jonathan described his detention as being in a common room with other detainees. He was provided with thermal blankets and food that he described as resembling “dog food.” He was without outside contact for over 30 hours.
Did Jonathan Have Legal Representation?
according to the article, when Jonathan requested a lawyer after refusing to provide his phone password, he was informed he did not have that right.
What Did Jonathan Say About the Reason for His Deportation?
Jonathan stated that he was not given a valid reason for the visa cancellation. He said, “They didn’t give me any valid reason to cancel my visa.”
What Was the Agent’s Statement Regarding His Visa Cancellation?
Jonathan recalled that one of the agents had said, “Trump has returned. We are doing things as we should always have done them.”
What is Jonathan’s Partner’s Viewpoint?
Jonathan’s partner, who remains in the U.S., told The Guardian* via email: “we live together, and although I cannot take time off work right now, all I want is to meet him as soon as possible.”
Summary Table of Key Events
Here’s a brief overview of the key events:
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Trip to Australia | Attended sister’s funeral and intended to return to the U.S. |
| Detainment at Houston airport | Pulled aside by ICE agents upon return. |
| Accusations | Accused of drug trafficking. |
| Evidence Confiscated | Phone and smartwatch taken. |
| Visa Cancellation | Visa revoked due to ”intention to permanence.” |
| banned from the U.S. | Five-year ban imposed. |
| Deportation | returned to Australia after detention. |