I was stuck in a freezing cell without explanation despite eventually having lawyers and media attention. Yet, compared with others, I was lucky
www.theguardian.com
After a long interrogation, the officer told me it seemed “shady” and that my visa hadn’t been properly processed.
He claimed I also couldn’t work for a company in the US that made use of hemp – one of the beverage ingredients.
He revoked my visa, and told me I could still work for the company from Canada, but if I wanted to return to the US, I would need to reapply.
I was devastated; I had just started building a life in California.
I stayed in Canada for the next few months, and was eventually offered a similar position with a different health and wellness brand.
I restarted the visa process and returned to the same immigration office at the San Diego border, since they had processed my visa before and I was familiar with it.
Hours passed, with many confused opinions about my case.
The officer I spoke to was kind but told me that, due to my previous issues, I needed to apply for my visa through the consulate.
I told her I hadn’t been aware I needed to apply that way, but had no problem doing it.