Key Takeaways
• Jasmina Midzic was detained and deported at LAX for violating tourist visa rules by raising hedge fund capital.
• US enforcement on tourist visa misuse has increased, targeting business professionals and executive-level travelers at major entry points.
• Legal experts and human rights groups warn current immigration practices may hinder international business and cause confusion on visa limits.
Jasmina Midzic, a Croatian national who is the CEO of Miami-based Typhon Capital Management, found herself at the center of a heated immigration dispute recently. She was detained and then deported by U.S. authorities at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) after being held for over 24 hours. Officials say she broke immigration rules by carrying out business activities, like raising money for her hedge fund, even though she was only on a tourist visa. Her case is raising important questions about how the United States 🇺🇸 treats foreign professionals who visit for conferences and business events, especially as the government steps up its efforts to stop people from working in the country without proper permission.
Midzic’s Arrival and Detention at Los Angeles International Airport
The story began when Jasmina Midzic arrived in Los Angeles 🇺🇸 from London to attend the well-known Milken Institute Global Conference. This event draws big names from around the world, including technology leaders, government officials, and business giants such as Elon Musk and First Lady Jill Biden. However, things took an unexpected turn at Los Angeles International Airport.
Immigration officers stopped Midzic soon after she landed. They questioned her about the purpose of her visit and how she planned to spend her time in the United States. According to information shared by VisaVerge.com, as well as official sources, officials believed that while she was in the country on a tourist visa, she planned to engage in activities that go beyond what this type of visa allows—specifically, raising money for her financial company.
This accusation is serious because U.S. immigration law is clear: a tourist visa, also known as a B-2 visa, is only for tourism, visiting friends or relatives, or getting medical care. It does not allow visitors to look for work, run a business, or raise money for a company. After questioning her, the officials decided not to allow Midzic into the United States. They then held her in federal custody for 26 hours before putting her on a return flight to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
The Crackdown on Tourist Visa Violations
Jasmina Midzic’s case did not happen in isolation. Over the past few years, U.S. officials have intensified their efforts to make sure that foreign visitors stick to the terms of their visas. This is part of a broader push that began under President Trump’s second term, which has led to more frequent checks at borders and airports, especially for people coming to the United States for business-related reasons.
Officials say they have noticed an increase in cases where foreigners enter the country on tourist visas but engage in activities that are only allowed on work or business visas. These activities might include:
- Seeking new clients or investors
- Speaking at conferences about their companies
- Signing deals or contracts
- Conducting other work-related tasks
For people like Midzic—high-profile executives and businesspeople—this means extra scrutiny at places like Los Angeles International Airport. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the government closely monitors who enters for business meetings versus who comes to do real, hands-on work or raise capital, which is not allowed on a tourist visa.
The Broader Pattern of Immigration Enforcement
Midzic’s detention is part of a recent pattern of enforcement that’s catching the attention of immigration lawyers and human rights groups. She is not the first foreign professional to be stopped for allegedly breaking visa rules. Just earlier this year, a British national named Becky Burke was detained for 19 days at the U.S.-Canada 🇨🇦 border over a similar problem: a dispute about which visa she needed. Law experts say there is a growing number of cases where talented people are being caught up in strict rules and sometimes vague accusations.
An attorney who works on these types of cases explained, “We’re seeing a growing number of professionals detained under vague pretexts. It’s a troubling shift with implications for due process and international mobility.” This worry is echoed by human rights groups, who say that the U.S. government is expanding its use of immigration enforcement tools against people who are not traditional workers but are company leaders or specialists in fields like technology and finance.
The Impact of Tourist Visa Misuse
Why is the abuse of a tourist visa taken so seriously in the first place? A tourist visa, or B-2 visa, is meant for people who want to spend a short time in the United States for reasons like travel or visiting family. The U.S. issues these visas under strict terms, and those rules are not flexible. If someone does business, earns money, or works while on a tourist visa, it puts them out of legal status and can lead to removal or deportation.
In the past, people sometimes saw visa rules as an area with some “wiggle room.” However, actions at Los Angeles International Airport and other entry points show that those days are over. If the officers suspect that you are trying to do work or raise money—even if it’s for a company in another country—you may be denied entry or even barred from coming back to the United States in the future.
The case with Jasmina Midzic is making the global business community pay attention. Businesspeople, especially those in finance or technology, often come to the United States to attend events like the Milken Institute Global Conference, meet with partners, or scout for investment opportunities. The heightened enforcement sends a clear message: violating the terms of a tourist visa will carry heavy consequences, even for prominent executives.
What Happened After Detention
After being held for 26 hours, Midzic was put on a return flight to the United Kingdom. She has strongly denied that she broke any U.S. law or did anything wrong. Through her representatives, Midzic suggested that factors like her European background and her lack of interest in seeking U.S. citizenship may have played a role in how her case was handled. In other words, she and her supporters believe there may have been bias or unfair treatment.
James Koutoulas, the founder of Typhon Capital and Midzic’s employer, made a public statement in her defense. “Jasmina has violated no U.S. law, and this incident reflects a disturbing overreach that we intend to challenge,” Koutoulas said. He made it clear that any claims suggesting wrongdoing would face legal challenge, warning that “any defamatory insinuation” would be met in court.
Concerns from Immigration Lawyers and Human Rights Groups
Many groups that work on immigration issues have pointed out the risks of the current approach. They worry that detaining and deporting business executives may hurt international business activity, make travel unpredictable for professionals, and raise questions about fairness in the immigration process.
Human rights organizations stress that while every country has the right to enforce its own immigration laws, the U.S. government should not use these laws as a tool to block professionals from entering the country for honest, legal reasons, such as attending a conference. They are also worried that enforcement seems to be reaching into fields that were not previously targets, such as finance and consulting. Traditionally, visa checks were more common for people in low-wage jobs, but now that focus has shifted to high-level professionals.
The Government’s Silence and Ongoing Legal Questions
So far, the Department of Homeland Security has declined to comment on the details of Jasmina Midzic’s case. This is not unusual, as immigration authorities often avoid sharing information about specific cases for privacy and legal reasons. However, this lack of information can be upsetting for people who want to understand the rules and avoid similar problems.
The growing number of cases—and the confusion about what’s allowed on a tourist visa—has made some legal experts call for clearer rules and better communication. They say that much of the trouble comes from unclear differences between what counts as “permissible business activity” (such as attending a meeting or conference) and what is not allowed (like signing deals or raising money). Getting this wrong can mean trouble even for people who mean to follow the law.
Lessons for Business Travelers
For anyone planning to come to the United States for business, Jasmina Midzic’s experience is a clear warning. It is important to know what your tourist visa actually allows. The difference between what is allowed and what is not can be small—but the consequences are not.
If you plan to attend a conference like the Milken Institute Global Conference, it is important to stick to activities that count as “tourism” or “meetings.” For example, you can:
- Listen to talks and join in discussions
- Network with others as long as you are not officially representing a company or signing contracts
- Visit friends or family, or do sightseeing
But you cannot:
- Work or provide paid services while in the United States
- Make deals or sign on behalf of your company
- Raise capital or money for your business
The U.S. government’s visitor visa page explains these differences in detail. Checking these guidelines before traveling can save you trouble at airports like Los Angeles International Airport.
Different Views on Strict Enforcement
Some people believe that the current strict approach is needed. They say illegal work or business activities by foreign nationals can hurt American workers and break the rules set to protect jobs and the economy. For these people, enforcing visa laws is fair and necessary.
But others argue that overly strict enforcement of tourist visa rules can make the United States seem less open to global talent and business. For large conferences and international business travel, these rules may scare away not only bad actors but also the honest professionals who bring value to events in the country.
The debate about where to draw the line is not likely to end soon. Immigration laws must find a middle ground—protecting the country’s interests without sending the message that the United States does not welcome visitors.
What’s Next for Jasmina Midzic and Similar Cases
Following Jasmina Midzic’s deportation from Los Angeles International Airport, her supporters say they will fight the case and try to clear her name. Her employer, Typhon Capital, will likely pursue legal channels to contest the decision. This could lead to court cases that test where the line lies between “permissible business activity” and illegal work while on a tourist visa.
Meanwhile, foreign professionals visiting the United States—especially those attending conferences, seeking investment, or representing companies—will need to carefully review their visa status. Even a small mistake or misunderstanding can lead to detention, deportation, or a permanent ban from entering the country.
Conclusion
The story of Jasmina Midzic at Los Angeles International Airport is more than just a single incident. It raises important questions about how the United States manages its borders, how it treats foreign professionals, and how clear its rules really are for visiting businesspeople. The case serves as a lesson that the difference between legal and illegal activities on a tourist visa is not always obvious, and a misunderstanding can have serious consequences.
For business travelers, the best advice is simple: always check the most up-to-date official guidance before coming to the United States. Remember that your visa limits what you can do, and even top company executives can face problems if they push those limits. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the trend in strict immigration enforcement is set to continue, making it even more important to know, and follow, the rules.
To stay informed and avoid problems like those faced by Jasmina Midzic at Los Angeles International Airport, travelers should consult official government resources, such as the U.S. visitor visa page, before every trip. This simple step can make the difference between a successful visit and a costly mistake.
Learn Today
Tourist Visa (B-2) → A nonimmigrant visa that allows entry to the US for tourism, not for work or business activities.
Deportation → The formal removal of a foreign national from the United States for violating immigration laws.
Permissible Business Activity → Activities allowed under certain visa types, like attending meetings, that do not include hands-on work or raising capital.
Federal Custody → Detention under the supervision of a US federal agency, such as immigration or border officials.
Immigration Enforcement → Government actions to uphold and implement immigration laws, including inspections, detentions, and deportations at entry points.
This Article in a Nutshell
Jasmina Midzic’s deportation from Los Angeles highlights rising scrutiny toward businesspeople on tourist visas. US authorities are strictly enforcing rules, leading to detentions and legal challenges. Professionals must clearly understand their visa’s limits to avoid misunderstandings with serious consequences. Always consult official guidance before business-related travel to the United States.
— By VisaVerge.com
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