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A Norwegian Tourist’s American Dream Turns Nightmare After Meme Mishap
A 21-year-old Norwegian tourist’s planned American adventure took a nightmarish turn after he was detained, allegedly mistreated, and ultimately deported from Newark Airport on June 11th. Mads Mikkelsen, who had envisioned exploring New York and Texas with friends and family, instead found himself facing intense scrutiny from U.S. immigration officials.
According to Mikkelsen, the ordeal began with an interrogation focusing on his travel plans, but quickly escalated to questions about drug smuggling, terrorism, and right-wing extremism. He was also asked to provide detailed information about his American contacts. Mikkelsen described the experience as “harassment and abuse of power,” leaving him feeling “prejudiced, suspected, and humiliated.”
The situation deteriorated further when officers demanded access to Mikkelsen’s phone. He alleges he was threatened with a hefty fine and imprisonment if he refused to comply.
Upon unlocking his phone, officers discovered two images that ultimately led to his denial of entry. One was a meme of author and venture capitalist JD Vance, while the other featured Mikkelsen posing with a handmade wooden pipe.
Mikkelsen maintains that both images were harmless and taken out of context.
Following the discovery of the photos, Mikkelsen claims he was subjected to a strip search, blood sampling, facial scan, and fingerprinting. He described the officers as “incredibly harsh,” using “physical force the whole time.” He was then held in a cell for five hours without food or water before being put on a return flight to Oslo.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while acknowledging that most trips to the US are problem-free, reminded travelers of the importance of familiarizing themselves with U.S. entry regulations, which are subject to change. They emphasized that the decision to grant or deny entry rests solely with U.S. immigration authorities and that Norwegian authorities have no power to intervene.