A British family having a vacation in the US made an unexpected but quick detour at the US-Canada border when they were detained by immigration authorities.
They described it as ‘the scariest experience of our entire lives.’ However, officials are disputing their accounts.
24-year-old Eileen Connors said she was visiting Vancouver with her 3-month-old baby and 30-year-old husband. Her husband’s cousin was driving close to the border but had to make a quick detour to avoid hitting an animal.
“When we said we did not even know, and we did not intend to cross, the officer said it did not make a difference and we would all go into the custody of the United States,” Connors said.
“This is how the scariest experience of our entire lives started.”
According to ALDEA, the People’s Justice Center, a pro bono legal aid organization, the Connors had been deported to the United Kingdom.
The organization said in a statement: “We learned this morning that the family is no longer at the facility, and ICE has confirmed that they have been removed to the UK.
“We hope that this family’s unfortunate experience helps you elevate the important stories of all children in immigration detention – especially the 27 kids who remain at Berks today.”
The Connors’ account of being held in dirty and cold US immigration detention facilities without enough food attracted international attention.
However, Customs and Border Protection officials said that the family’s vehicle was observed via a remote video camera and was pulled over after crossing the border. All seven British occupants (four adults and three children) were apprehended on suspicion of entering the US without inspection.
CBP said: “During processing, record checks revealed two of the adults were previously denied travel authorization to come to the United States. Attempts were made to return the individuals to Canada, however, Canada refused to allow their return and two attempts to contact the consulate for the United Kingdom were unsuccessful.”
The family’s attorney, Bridget Cambria, said: “The families were told there was video footage. They didn’t know it was the US and simply wanted to return.”
Speaking about their experience in the facility, Connors said: “We are so sickened by all of this. The idea and the memory of our little baby having to sleep on a dirty floor of a cell will haunt us forever. We are in disbelief that a government would do this to human beings.”
Connors added: “We were shocked and disgusted at the thought of our baby being taken from us. And ever since I cannot sleep thinking that someone might come in and take him from me.”
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Replaced!