UK Tourist, 65 and with Valid Visa, Detained 6 Weeks
The Guardian printed a chilling story this weekend regarding Karen Newton, 65, a U.K. resident who was detained by US immigration authorities for nearly 6 weeks.
Newton traveled to the U.S. for vacation. She and her husband visited various states and then sought to enter into Canada, but they did not have the right papers to bring the car into that country. When turned back to the U.S., immigration officials noticed that Newton's husband had an expired visa. Although Newton's visa was in order, the couple was detained.
Newton could not understand why she was detained. She told The Guardian: "Bill’s an adult. Why am I held responsible for him?”
The answer: Newton broke the terms of her B2 tourist visa by "helping her husband pack for the trip."
On Day 3, the two were offered "self-removal" under Project Homecoming with a 10 year ban on returning to the US. They agreed. And then spent another 39 days in detention awaiting a trip home--shackled for transport, sleeping on floors, and experiencing the daily degradations of life behind bars.
Now back in the U.K., Newton warns others from visiting the US.
