Seeing Vice President JD Vance as a bald, shiny orb can make you laugh ― but can it get you denied entry at a U.S. border?
According to one tourist, yes. Norwegian tourist Mads Mikkelsen told Nordlys that he was denied entry at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on June 11 after authorities searched his phone and found a Vance meme on his phone camera roll, and then proceeded to question him about right-wing extremism and drug smuggling.
Mikkelsen later told Nordlys that he did tell border officials he had tried marijuana in Germany and in New Mexico, but did not think this was relevant because they are both places where it is legal.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin refuted Mikkelsen’s allegations about the meme being the reason for his heightened scrutiny. “Claims that Mads Mikkelsen was denied entry because of a JD Vance meme are FALSE,” she wrote on X. “Mikkelsen was refused entry into the U.S. for his admitted drug use.”
But regardless of Mikkelsen’s story, can a political meme on your phone be the reason you get denied entry? Following President Donald Trump’s executive order for “enhanced vetting,” border agents have been using aggressive tactics on legal immigrants and tourists.
