According to him, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers searched through his mobile phone, something travelers have long been warned could happen when entering the country.
The CBP website explains their authority clearly: “CBP’s ability to lawfully inspect electronic devices crossing the border is integral to keeping America safe in an increasingly digital world.”
Although CBP says checking devices isn’t a common practice, some travelers feel the number of searches has gone up. Because of that, people have been suggesting others disable their iPhone’s Face ID feature before heading to the airport or even power off their phone entirely before inspection.
This is due to reports that CBP agents may use your face to unlock your phone without breaching the Constitution, according to some legal interpretations.
Mads claims that when CBP agents went through his phone, they found a meme of Vice President JD Vance with a bald head and an egg-like face. After that, he says he was told he couldn’t enter the country.
The meme in question was created by X user @DaveMcNamee3000 back in October 2024. The post joked about turning JD Vance into a “progressively apple cheeked baby” for every 100 likes it received.
“They asked questions about drug trafficking, terrorist plots and right-wing extremism totally without reason.” he later told the outlet Nordlys.
He also claimed that agents warned him he would be hit with “a minimum fine of $5,000 or five years in prison” if he didn’t hand over his phone’s password during the encounter.
Now that his story has drawn attention online, US authorities have firmly denied the idea that the meme had anything to do with why he was barred from entry.
Responding to a screenshot of a Mail Online article about the incident, CBP tweeted: “Fact Check: FALSE. Mads Mikkelsen was not denied entry for any memes or political reasons, it was for his admitted drug use.”
They followed up with: “Mikkelson was refused entry into the U.S. for his admitted drug use. Only those who respect our laws and follow the rules will be welcomed into our country.”