Businesswoman deported from U.S. after officials reviewed her Instagram posts
A Nigerian businesswoman has taken to social media to share her heartbreak after being deported from the United States, despite receiving a visa and making intense preparations to attend a trade fair in New York.
In an emotional statement, she revealed that she and her team had put in countless sleepless nights to prepare for the international exhibition, only for her plans to be shattered upon arrival.
According to her, she was granted a B1/B2 visa (business/tourism), but after landing in the U.S., immigration officials detained her for 24 hours before denying her entry.
She said her deportation was based on information gathered from her social media handle, where officials allegedly saw posts related to her business.
“I was granted a visa to the U.S., only to be detained for 24 hours and denied entry into America just because they checked my social media handle and saw what I posted there,” she wrote.
She expressed deep pain over the experience, noting how much effort had gone into preparing for the trade fair. She said she had looked forward to connecting with customers, showcasing her brand, and putting a face to the product many had come to love.
“It hurts me to tell you guys that I wouldn’t be there because currently I’m on my way back to Nigeria,” she wrote. “This one hurt so bad.”
She admitted that although she usually keeps her struggles off social media, this particular experience broke her, especially because of the time, energy, and money that had gone into the project.
Despite the setback, she said she wasn’t focused on the money lost, but on the emotional weight of missing such a big opportunity.
“I really wanted you guys to see the person behind this brand,” she added. “Not just the products.”
Taking responsibility, she admitted that she could have handled things differently by being more transparent at the point of entry.
“I’ve come to the fact that me also, I messed up,” she said. “I mean, this is the USA. I could have just told them the truth.”
She ended her message by urging her followers to continue supporting her in any way they can, stating that while she has learned her lesson, she believes that God is still aware of her journey.
“I know this is one of the ways the devil will try to make me doubt a lot of things, but I know that God is aware. I will be fine.”
Her story has sparked sympathy across social media, with many expressing support and acknowledging the challenges young Nigerian entrepreneurs face while trying to grow their brands internationally.
See some reactions below:
nwunye__bigman1: “Im sorry about your experience but didn’t you guys make inquiries to know visa that’s applicable for doing exhibition in the USA . Lawlessness has eaten so deep into our system and it irritates me so much . American government has been heavy on SM dat…”
CLEAN FOOD STUFF IN LAGOS: “I had this same experience in the UK. They gave me 15 minutes to voluntarily exit or I get deported after 20 hours detention. The experience was bad. Till date, I still have phobia for UK…”
Bloomphyna: “I’m so sorry stranger,this too shall pass sorry for the emotional/physical distress you’re going through right now, you’ll recover everything you’ve lost in 100 folds in Jesus name amen 🙏 be strong.”
Sonia Kats: “Lord You waste nothing…hold your child and elevate her only the way You can…You will bring back 7 fold what she has trusted You with for her business.”
WATCH VIDEO:
@onyxhair_by_nelly This has to be one of the hardest posts I have made. But I told myself I was always going to tell my story no matter how bad or ugly it is. I know social media life doesn’t really show the messy side but here is one of mine. I really don’t even know how I feel at the moment. I have dealt with different emotions anger, anxiety,rejection,regret you name it. I wish there was a way I can clear the image of how I Was handled like a criminal literally, detained for more than 26 hours, my phones and passport taken from me and escorted back to the plane like a fugitive off my head or all the funds in thousands of dollars that went down the drain but this won’t break me . Please if you are in Houston and will be attending the fair please look for my stand and check out the products that I’m exhibiting I promise you won’t regret it.Cause the products speaks for it self. I have made a lot of arrangements to see that the fair continues for @onyxhair_bynellyng and @onngirlrhextsions because they deserve all the attention and also Because the show must always go on no matter what. @naijabrandchick thank you for creating such a beautiful platform that even helped me to dare dream and for all your help to see that I still get to exhibit even without my presence. God bless you. Ps: this won’t stop me so no pity messages. seeing all the messages from my customers who are already waiting for me and asking where i am just woke up the fire inside of me. My businesses will go global. This is just the beginning!
