Woman held in shackles at JFK for overstaying visa

Officials at JFK might have some ‘splaining to do after they shackled a detained an Icelandic tourist for days — all because she had overstayed her tourist visa 10 years ago. Erla Osk Arnardottir Lillendahl, 33, is not happy about the treatment she received upon arriving at JFK — she’s even called the experience the most humiliating of her life.

Lillendahl was arrested at JFK and interrogated for two days. During that time, she was held in a cell, had her hands and feet chained, was not permitted to call relatives and was even denied food and drink for a period of time. Now the Government of Iceland has asked US Ambassadors to explain the incident.

According to Iceland’s foreign minister Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir, “In a case such as this, there can be no reason to use shackles. If a government makes a mistake, I think it is reasonable for it to apologize, like anyone else.”

Can’t say I disagree.