Australian woman reveals how being refused at the US border has changed her life

An Australian woman who was rejected at the US border and put on the first flight back to Brisbane says the ordeal has been life-changing in the worst possible way ever since.In 2022, Queenslander Madolline Gourley arrived to the always-chaotic Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a flight in from Brisbane.Gourley revealed to news.com.au at the time — almost three years ago — she was detained while passing through the international terminal on June 30, 2022 — claiming officials were suspicious about her intention to house-sit while holidaying in Canada.After an interrogation barely five hours after arriving to the US, Gourley was told she was being denied entry and would be sent back to Brisbane on the next available flight. The reason? According to officials, she had breached the conditions of the visa waiver program.Gourley had made the mistake of attempting to enter the US (and onwards to Canada) on a tourist visa.But given she had intended to house-and pet-sit through websites like TrustedHousesitters to cut accommodation costs, this was deemed as a breach.The US Customs and Border Protection said the visa waiver program prohibited applicants from engaging “in any type of employment” or receiving “compensation for services rendered.”This includes house-sitting services in exchange for free accommodation.The CBP spokesperson said it took “allegations of unprofessional behaviour seriously”.Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update.

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Never miss a story.Following her detention, Gourley made headlines around the world after speaking out about the interrogation experience — including the moment she was patted down by US immigration officials and even asked whether she was pregnant or had recently had an abortion.Gourley at the time explained to news.com.au the ordeal...