'Really America?' Social media erupts after US denies entry to tourist over JD Vance meme

24 June

U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Daniel Cole

A 21 year-old Norwegian, Mads Mikkelsen, claimed he was refused entry to the United States after immigration officers discovered a meme of Vice President JD Vance saved on his mobile phone.

Mikkelsen, speaking to the newspaper Norwegian newspaper Nordlys, described the incident at Newark Liberty International Airport as an “abuse of power and harassment."

The citizen alleges that U.S. officials at Newark Liberty International Airport threatened him with “a $5,000 fine or five years in prison” if he didn’t unlock his mobile phone.

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During a search of his device, agents discovered a meme in his camera roll depicting Vance with a bald, egg‑shaped head. Following this discovery, Mikkelsen says the authorities immediately arranged to send him back to Norway that same day.

The report sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many users decrying it as an infringement on free speech.

"ICE detained a Norwegian tourist who had a JD Vance meme on their phone. They weren't allowed to enter the country. These are the same people who blame Europe for a lack of free speech," influencer Pekka Kallioniemi wrote on the social platform X.

Journalist Charles Fishman wrote: "‘Free speech.’ Denied entry into US from a friendly NATO country because a US immigration officer found a jokey image of VP Vance on the visitor’s telephone. Really, America? Is the Statue of Liberty cheering? Did you vote for this?"

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Joshua Eakle, Executive Director at Project Liberal, said: "Remember when @JDVance went to Germany to lecture them about free speech? That was hilarious."

Former British soldier Shaun Pinner remarked: "Better delete my 153, JD Vance meme’s[sic]."

The Lincoln Project's X account wrote: "Where's all the free speech loving Republicans on this one?"

"You'd have to be completely off your head to book a holiday to the US at the moment. One mediocre meme someone sent you on whatsapp and you could have thousands of quid in air flights and hotels down the drain," wrote a user.

AlterNet reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for comment.

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