An Australian woman, Nicolle Saroukos, has found herself at the center of controversy after being denied entry to Hawaii while attempting to visit her husband, Matt, a lieutenant in the U.S. Army stationed in Oahu. Saroukos, 25, reported that her experience with U.S. border officials left her in disbelief, particularly regarding the official statements made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that followed her detention and deportation.
Saroukos initially shared her story with Hawaii News Now, explaining that she had traveled with her mother to reunite with her husband, but was unexpectedly flagged for extra screening at Honolulu’s Daniel K Inouye International Airport. What she described as a routine trip quickly spiraled into chaos as she faced intense scrutiny.
On Monday, Homeland Security issued a statement defending the actions taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, stating that Saroukos was selected for secondary screening due to “recent long-term trips to the United States and suspicious luggage.” The agency clarified that officers had doubts about her travel intentions, citing her inability to recall her wedding date that occurred just four months earlier.
Additionally, Homeland Security raised concerns about Saroukos’s previous relationship, questioning the timeline between her former partner and her current husband. They pointed out “unusual activity” on her phone, noting she had deleted 1,000 text messages from her husband due to self-reported anxiety.
In response to Homeland Security’s claims, Saroukos expressed her disbelief at the narrative being portrayed, claiming that some information had been distorted.
She emphasized that while she understood that a country has the right to deny entry to visitors, she strongly disagreed with how she and her mother were treated during the process. “I don’t agree with the treatment … why are you throwing people in prison, why are they being subject to strip searches and cavity searches and being placed in handcuffs, like your rights taken away from you?”
Describing the atmosphere during her initial screening, Saroukos detailed an encounter with a border official who escalated from calm to aggressive, even yelling at her mother. This alarming reaction prompted an emotional response from Saroukos, who began to cry.
She and her mother were subsequently taken to a holding area where their belongings were searched while Saroukos faced a barrage of questions about her past as a police officer, her tattoos, and her marriage. She recounted how officers mocked her when she mentioned her marriage to a U.S. Army member, casting doubt on the legitimacy of her relationship.
After undergoing extensive screening that included fingerprinting and a DNA swab, Saroukos was denied entry into the U.S. while her mother was allowed to leave. She was informed that she would spend the night in a federal detention center before being deported to Australia.
Saroukos was subjected to a body cavity search and was handcuffed during her transfer through the airport, leaving her feeling severely mistreated. Upon arrival at the detention facility, she underwent a strip search and was not permitted to contact her husband or her mother.
The following day, she was escorted back to the airport where she finally received contact from the Australian consulate in Hawaii, leading to a phone call with her husband.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Australia has noted an increase in travelers being denied entry to the U.S., prompting them to issue a warning about strict entry requirements. DFAT has stated, “U.S. authorities have broad powers to decide if you’re eligible to enter,” and has advised travelers that border officials may inspect electronic devices and communications.
Nicolle Saroukos’s experience has highlighted the often-harrowing reality of international travel amid stringent border controls, as well as the broader implications of personal rights when faced with official authority. As the debate surrounding her treatment continues, the conversation about balance between national security and individual rights remains highly relevant in current discussions about immigration and travel.
As the story unfolds, Saroukos aims to raise awareness about the treatment of travelers and the realities they may face at international borders.
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