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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Daisy Dumas

Australian with working visa detained and deported on returning to US from sister’s memorial

An empty chair in front of an airport arrivals screen showing cancelled flights
An Australian who was deported from the US is one of a string visaholders recently denied re-entry to the country. Composite: Victoria Hart/Getty Images/Guardian De

When Jonathan returned from the US to Australia for a quick trip to scatter his sister’s ashes, he packed only two changes of clothes, leaving enough space in his small bag to carry the empty ashes urn to his home in the US. The trip was so brief he didn’t even pack a laptop charger.

The Australian says he was detained and deported when returning from the memorial in March, despite holding a working visa still valid for more than a year. He has been living on the US east coast for the better part of a decade – where his American partner, apartment, work studio and clients remain.

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