A British tourist and Vancouver woman who made international news headlines over the past few weeks were released from separate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers.
British tourist Rebecca Burke, 28, was held in the ICE detention facility in Tacoma for 19 days after attempting to enter Canada from the U.S. on February 26. Burke’s father, Paul Burke, wrote in a public Facebook post that his daughter was on a four-month backpacking trip where she was staying with host families and helping with chores in exchange for accommodation.
When trying to travel to Vancouver, B.C., Canada Border Services Agency denied Burke entry, which she said in a March 10 BBC article was because they believed she intended to work illegally. After being returned to the U.S., CBP officials determined she had violated her visa because the accommodation exchange was considered work and Burke was transported to the ICE detention facility in Tacoma, according to the BBC article. Burke’s father said her conditions were “deeply concerning,” and that her possessions had been confiscated and she had limited access to calls.
An ICE spokesperson told The Northern Light that Burke was released and returned to the United Kingdom on March 18.
“Burke was previously detained by ICE at the Northwest ICE Processing Center related to the violation of the terms and conditions of her admission,” the spokesperson said. “All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and if found removable by final order, removal from the United States regardless of nationality.”
A few days after Burke was detained, 35-year-old Abbotsford resident Jasmine Mooney was detained at the U.S./Mexico border on March 3. According to the Vancouver Sun, Mooney, who had been working in the U.S., went to San Ysidro border crossing to get a new visa after her original visa was revoked last November after she had gone home to Vancouver for a visit. She had been told to reapply at a U.S. consulate, but instead went to the border crossing where she had originally received her first visa.
Mooney was transferred to three facilities, handcuffed and slept on a mat with aluminum foil as a blanket, according to the Vancouver Sun. She was returned to Vancouver on March 15.
