HONOLULU, HI – An Australian woman visiting Hawaii faced a distressing ordeal when she was detained by U.S. border officials at the Honolulu Airport. Nicole Rose, 25, had anticipated a joyful three-week vacation with her mother to visit her husband, a U.S. Army lieutenant stationed on Oahu. However, her trip quickly turned into what she described as a “holiday from hell.”
This was Rose’s third visit to see her husband, Matt, since their marriage last December. Despite having no previous issues, this time U.S. Customs and Border Protection flagged her for additional screening. The situation escalated when Rose and her mother were subjected to aggressive questioning and searches, which left Rose in tears.
The questioning delved into Rose’s past as a former police officer and even her tattoos, which officials suspected might be gang-related. Despite explaining her marriage to an American soldier, Rose said she felt mocked by the officers, who seemed skeptical of her story.
Rose was eventually informed that she would be denied entry and deported back to Australia the following day. Her heart sank as officials told her she would spend the night in a detention facility, which they referred to as a “prison.” The word “prison” conjured up frightening images for Rose, who was uncertain about her safety and the company she might keep.
During her detention, Rose experienced a body cavity search and was walked through the airport in handcuffs. She was held overnight without food, having missed the dinner cutoff, and was not allowed to contact her husband or mother. This lack of communication only heightened her distress, as her husband was left unaware of her whereabouts and condition.
After a sleepless night, Rose was returned to the airport the next morning, where she was finally allowed a phone call with her husband. The emotional conversation underscored the ordeal she and her family had endured, including her mother’s anxiety and her husband’s helplessness.
The incident has left Rose and her husband in Sydney, contemplating the future of their marriage in light of her ban from entering the United States. She expressed her frustration and disappointment over how she was treated, particularly given her husband’s service to the country.
Immigration attorneys note that detainees are typically entitled to a phone call if held for several hours. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated they are preparing a response to the incident, emphasizing that decisions regarding entry are not made lightly.