Immigration lawyers in both Canada and the United States are warning that the detention of a Vancouver businesswoman at the U.S.-Mexico border is a sign of stricter border enforcement, particularly for Canadians seeking to work in the U.S. under special visa agreements.
Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian citizen, was held for nearly two weeks in an immigration detention facility after attempting to enter the U.S. near San Diego, California. Her experience, experts say, reflects a shift in American immigration policy, making it more difficult for foreign nationals—even those with legal avenues to work in the U.S.—to cross the border without facing unexpected scrutiny or consequences.
An Unexpected Detention Under Strict New Policies
Mooney, a former actress and entrepreneur, had previously traveled to the U.S. without incident. However, in early March, when she attempted to enter the country under a TN visa, she was stopped by border officials, denied entry, and subsequently detained.
According to U.S. immigration lawyer Jim Hacking, her case is not an isolated incident. He notes a significant rise in detentions and deportations in recent weeks, even among individuals who have a history of legal entry into the U.S. or hold valid immigration documents.
“Over the past ten days alone, we’ve seen multiple cases where people with various immigration statuses—including permanent residents—have been detained or removed in ways that were unheard of in the past,” Hacking explained.
A Drastic Shift in U.S. Border Policy
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has stated that Mooney’s detention was in compliance with a recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January.
Hacking describes the situation as an aggressive crackdown on immigration, including cases where individuals who would have simply been denied entry in the past are now being detained for extended periods.
“In my seventeen years as an immigration attorney, I have never seen someone applying for a TN visa get detained like this,” Hacking said. “She was technically still at the Port of Entry, attempting to get admission into the U.S., and the standard procedure should have been to simply refuse her entry. Instead, they took her into custody and placed her in detention under conditions that she described as harsh.”
Mooney was reportedly transferred to a privately operated detention center in Arizona, where she was held in a cell with around 30 other detainees, with limited access to basic amenities.
Her family has called the conditions inhumane, and they claim that Mooney was given little information about why she was being held for so long.
Why Was Mooney’s Visa Application a Target?
Mooney was applying for a TN visa, a work visa created under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)—now part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
This type of visa is unique because it can be issued directly at the border, rather than requiring a pre-approved application through a U.S. consulate. It is specifically designed for professionals from Canada and Mexico who qualify under a list of approved occupations.
However, immigration attorneys believe that TN visa applicants are now facing increased scrutiny.
Hacking explained that border agents could have simply denied Mooney entry if they found her application insufficient, instead of detaining her for an extended period.
“The message is clear: the U.S. is taking a much harder stance on all immigration cases—even those that were once considered routine,” he said.
A Warning for Canadians Traveling to the U.S.
Richard Kurland, a Vancouver-based immigration lawyer, says that Canadians who frequently travel to the U.S. should no longer assume smooth entry at the border.
“There will likely be more of these incidents throughout the summer,” Kurland warned. “The role of American immigration officers is no longer to facilitate entry. Their job is now to frustrate entry for those they believe do not meet strict new standards.”
Hacking has also begun advising Canadian clients with work visas or pending immigration applications to avoid leaving the U.S. unless absolutely necessary.
“I have many Canadian clients who, for years, have taken their immigration status too lightly,” he said. “That era is over. Now, if you leave the U.S. and try to come back, there is a real risk you won’t be allowed in—even if you have a valid visa.”
How to Navigate the Changing U.S. Immigration Landscape
Kurland urges Canadians applying for U.S. visas to be completely transparent with border officials and to avoid making assumptions about which border crossings will be easier.
He also warns that if an immigration officer instructs a visa applicant to process their case at a U.S. consulate or embassy, it is crucial that they follow that instruction to avoid complications at the border.
“People need to understand that the same immigration case that is accepted on a Monday might be rejected on a Tuesday,” Kurland said. “That’s the level of unpredictability we are dealing with right now.”
Mooney’s family has said that she initially tried to enter the U.S. from British Columbia, but after being denied, she attempted crossing from Mexico—a country where she had previously been granted entry.
Politics and Immigration: A Changing Game
Legal experts suggest that these stricter immigration policies may be part of a broader political strategy by the Trump administration.
Kurland noted that in his previous term, Trump leveraged immigration enforcement to influence trade negotiations, and the current administration appears to be using similar tactics again.
“This entire situation changed in January 2025,” Kurland said, referencing the recent U.S. presidential election. “The administration has been given a strong political mandate to crack down on immigration, and this is just one example of how they are enforcing that mandate.”
Mooney Returns Home, But Questions Remain
Mooney’s ordeal finally ended in mid-March when she was released from detention and allowed to return to Vancouver.
Her family has not commented on the details of her detention but has confirmed that she is safe and recovering at home.
As immigration lawyers and experts continue to track these developments, Canadians traveling to the U.S. are being strongly advised to prepare for heightened scrutiny and stricter enforcement.
“The best advice I can give to Canadians right now?” Kurland says. “Expect the unexpected.”
