Mads from Tromsø reacts strongly to the treatment he received at American border control on his way into the United States.

What was supposed to be a two-month vacation in the United States ended in a nightmare for Mads Mikkelsen (21) from Tromsø. Already at the airport in Newark in the state of New Jersey, he was stopped by immigration authorities, put in a cell and subjected to what he himself describes as harassment and abuse of power.

The journey began on Wednesday, June 11. He arrived in the United States, with his travel plan ready. First, he was to visit a friend who lives in New York, then he was to travel on to Austin, Texas to visit friends. In addition, he had planned to travel to several national parks with his mother, who was to arrive a few weeks later.

That was not to be. Mikkelsen's dream trip to the States came to an abrupt end, before he could even begin his vacation.

Questioning

When Mikkelsen arrived at Newark Airport, he was quickly pulled aside by ICE agents (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

– I felt prejudiced, suspected and simply humiliated even then, in front of many other people at the airport. They took me to a room with several armed guards, where I had to hand over my shoes, mobile phone and backpack, he explains.

Then the airport staff started asking questions. Some were general questions about Mikkelsen's itinerary and what plans he had for his stay. Suddenly, several of the questions became very direct and personal, according to him.

– They asked direct questions about drug smuggling, terrorist plans and right-wing extremism, completely without reason. They demanded full information about everyone I was going to meet in the US, including name, address, phone number and what they did for work, he says.

Mikkelsen, who was already exhausted after little sleep the day before departure and a long flight, says that answering questions of this type was tiring.

– I had traveled for twelve hours, slept poorly, and was physically and mentally completely exhausted even before they started the questioning, he says.

US border authorities have broad powers over travelers entering the United States. This includes the right to examine various electronic devices, such as mobile phones and laptops, without suspicion or requiring a search warrant.

This was the case for Mikkelsen.

– They threatened me with a minimum fine of $5,000 (approximately 50,000 Norwegian kroner) or five years in prison if I refused to provide the password to my phone, he explains.

Two pictures caused trouble

When examining the phone, the officers found two pictures on Mikkelsen's phone. They were pictures that were not to their liking.

One was a caricature of US Vice President JD Vance, while the other picture was a picture of a wooden pipe that Mikkelsen himself had made a few years ago.

– Both pictures had been automatically saved to my camera roll from a chat app, but I really didn't think that these innocent pictures would put a stop to my entry into the country, he sighs.

Mikkelsen says he found the questions very suspicious and confrontational. He tried to explain that the photos had no political agenda and were meant to be humorous, but he felt that they fell on deaf ears.

Photo by JD Vance

After the officers had come across the photos on his mobile phone, the atmosphere became even more intense. He was strip-searched, forced to give blood samples, a facial scan and fingerprints.

– Later I was taken back in, and the situation got even worse. I was pushed up against a wall and was strip-searched with a lot of force. They were incredibly harsh and used physical force the whole time, he says.

Powerless

– I felt completely fucking devastated and broke down, and was close to crying several times. I was on the verge of panic. It felt like I was a terrorist suspect where I was sitting. I tried to pull myself together several times, but in the end I just wanted to get home again, he says.

Mikkelsen was locked in the cell for over five hours, and after a while the border authorities had concluded. The 21-year-old was denied entry to the United States, and his dream vacation was over before it had even begun.

The 21-year-old says that during his stay in the interrogation room he was refused to buy food or fill his bottle with water. It was not until he was on the plane that would take him back to Norway that he was allowed to eat and drink.

He was sent back to Oslo again on the same day by plane.

Mikkelsen says that he now wants to warn other Norwegians who are planning to travel to the United States this summer. He has not received any formal explanation or documentation as to why he was denied entry, and says he feels powerless against a powerful system.

He also says that he has considered contacting the Norwegian authorities, but feels there is no point. The 21-year-old's main goal is to highlight how seemingly innocent travelers can end up in serious situations without warning.

– I don't feel there is any point in contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor do I think they have any power against such a powerful and strict country as the USA. My friends in the US was naturally very disappointed that we could not meet, and they are in shock at the treatment I received on my way into their country, he says.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds

Mathias Rongved is a communications advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He responds as follows to Mikkelsen's case.

– Most trips to the US go without any particular problems. Entry regulations can change at short notice, and it is the traveler's responsibility to have valid documents and be familiar with the current entry regulations.

– It is the immigration authorities upon arrival who decide whether you are rejected at the border. Norwegian authorities cannot intervene in this decision. Nor is it necessarily the case that we receive notification either from other countries' border authorities or the Norwegian traveler if the person in question is not allowed to enter a country.

Rongved encourages all travelers to have the Reiseklar app available on their mobile device or to read up on regjeringen.no where there is travel information for around 200 countries, including the USA.

Nordlys has also been in contact with the American Embassy in Oslo. They further refer to the press contact at U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Nordlys has not been able to get a comment from CBP.

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Pub: 24 Jun 2025 12:42 UTC

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