The story broke in Japanese local media two months ago. A 32yo social media influencer from Osaka tried to enter Hawaii for what she says was a simple vacation. But US authorities pulled her into a separate room and subjected her to 27 hours of questioning.
The woman told Asahi TV News that border agents questioned her repeatedly about what she did for work. They even drilled into why she was carrying so many clothes with her. The woman maintained it was so she could take pictures – which only strengthened the cops’ suspicions she was there for work.
In the end, the agents told her that she wasn’t allowed to enter the US on an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) visa. She was forced to return to Japan the next day without ever stepping foot out of the airport. {read}