Australian traveller strip-searched, held in US prison and deported over little-known entry requirement

Jack Dunn says Dfat should clearly advertise the little-known US entry requirement that led to his deportation ordeal so others can avoid his experience. Photograph: Courtesy of Dunn family

An Australian traveller was denied entry to the US, cavity searched, sent to prison alongside criminals and subsequently deported 30 hours after arriving, due to a little-known entry requirement for the US.

The Victorian student Jack Dunn applied for a visa waiver for his trip to the US in May and planned to travel on to Mexico. He had been warned about the need to prove his plan to exit the US, but was unaware of the rule that requires those entering on the waiver to have booked either a return flight or onward travel to a country that does not border the US.