World

Icelandic Tourist Chained and Detained in Holding Cell at JFK

by kate | December 18, 2007 at 09:48 am

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I first read about this story on Boing Boing. From there I found a link about it on MSN, which describes primarily the fact that the Icelandic government has now asked for an explanation, but the really shocking account is from Erla Ósk Arnardóttir Lillendahl 's own blog, below, where she recounts her ordeal at the hands of Homeland Security. After landing at JFK airport in New York, she was imprisoned in a holding cell in New Jersey and denied food, sleep and water. All this because she had, apparently, overstayed a visa in 1995.

During the last twenty-four hours I have probably experienced the greatest humiliation to which I have ever been subjected. During these last twenty-four hours I have been handcuffed and chained, denied the chance to sleep, been without food and drink and been confined to a place without anyone knowing my whereabouts, imprisoned.

I can't really believe what is happening in the US, and it seems to get worse and worse and worse. One of the most disturbing parts is when, upon arrival at the holding cell in New Jersey, officials ask "What do you believe in?"