A Norwegian tourist has reported to the Norwegian press that he was barred entry to the United States after border officials at the Newark Airport in New Jersey found an offensive JD Vance meme in his phone. The story was also covered by the Daily Beast and the Daily Mail. The Norwegian tourist was visiting the US to meet friends and travel to national parks with his mother who was scheduled to join him later.
Under Donald Trump’s administration a new a new and unofficial US border policy disallows entry to foreign nationals who are critical of the US government and its leaders. In March a French scientist was barred entry to the US after comments critical to President Donald Trump were found in his phone. Earlier this month, Australian writer, Alistair Kitchen was barred entry to the US at the Los Angeles International Airport for his critical writings against Israel. Alistair Kitchen also had his phone seized.
US border officials at US airports are regularly going through phones of visitors the government deems as undesirables. Visitors to the US are screened with a background that potentially may also include a search of one’s writings and opinions about the US government and even Israel. The Norwegian tourist claimed that border officials threatened him with a $5,000 fine and also a prison sentence if he didn’t give up his phone.
US Secretary of state Marco Rubio once stated that the US will bar entry to foreign nationals who threaten its foreign policy. Earlier this year at the Munich Security Conference, JD Vance criticised European countries for allegedly having no freedom of speech.
Newsroom
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