Overview

• Kitchen was stopped in the immigration line at Los Angeles International Airport and held for about 12 hours of secondary processing where agents grilled him on his perspectives on Israel, Palestine, Hamas and campus demonstrations.
• CBP officers told Kitchen that his detention stemmed from articles he had written covering pro-Palestine rallies at Columbia University.
• Under pressure, he provided his phone passcode and agents downloaded its contents, uncovering his past drug use and accusing him of misrepresenting his ESTA application.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it offered consular support and has since strengthened its travel advice warning Australians that US entry requirements are strict and devices may be searched.
• After landing back in Melbourne on Saturday, Kitchen regained his phone and passport, republished his protest coverage and urged travellers to refuse device searches and accept immediate deportation.