Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian actress well-known for her role in the American Pie franchise, has recently found herself at the center of a troubling narrative surrounding immigration practices in the United States. The 35-year-old actress and entrepreneur has returned home to Canada after enduring a distressing ordeal involving the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
Mooney’s harrowing journey began when she attempted to renew her U.S. visa at the San Ysidro border crossing between Mexico and San Diego on March 3. Her father explained that the visa renewal is a common procedure; however, when her application was denied, she was detained by ICE for having an “incomplete visa.” This detention turned into an alarming experience, with Mooney detailing the inhumane conditions she faced within the U.S. detention centers.
For nearly two weeks, Mooney was confined in various facilities, including the Otay Mesa Detention Center in California. In a gripping account shared with ABC’s 10 News San Diego, she recounted her experience of being placed in a cell with nothing but a mat to sleep on—devoid of blankets or pillows. To cope with the frigid environment, guards reportedly wrapped her in aluminum foil, a treatment likened to that of a corpse. The ordeal included being shackled and relocated with a group of women, enduring a grueling 24-hour journey in chains to Arizona.
After returning home safely to Vancouver International Airport late Saturday night, Mooney expressed her distress on social media. In an Instagram Story, she described her experience as a “deeply disturbing psychological experiment” and announced her intention to pen an essay detailing her time in detention. She emphasized the importance of using her voice to raise awareness about the immigration system, hoping to shed light on the plight of others who may face similar dire circumstances.
Jasmine Mooney hails from Yukon, Canada, where she grew up in Whitehorse. While she has made a name for herself in the Canadian film industry and has entrepreneurial endeavors, she has also navigated the challenges of working and living abroad. Her recent detainment has garnered international attention, particularly given the political climate and ongoing discussions surrounding immigration policies in the United States.
As her story unfolds, Mooney advocates for change, sharing her experiences to inspire others to speak out. Her courageous decision to confront her trauma publicly serves as a potent reminder of the complexities surrounding immigration and the human experiences woven into these policies. In a landscape where personal stories often remain unheard, Jasmine Mooney’s narrative shines a light on urgent issues, calling for empathy and reform within immigration practices. As she embarks on the next chapter of her life post-detainment, one can only hope her journey will contribute meaningfully to the dialogue on human rights and dignity.
