What was meant to be a quick business trip to the U.S. turned into a nightmare for an Australian martial arts coach who says he was wrongly jailed, mistreated, and denied answers for days.
Michael Langston, a respected coach from Sydney, arrived in Los Angeles expecting to teach a weekend seminar. Instead, he found himself behind bars in a U.S. immigration detention center — without a clear explanation of why.
A Nightmare at the Border
According to Langston, he was detained shortly after arriving at LAX, questioned by border officials, and then arrested over what they claimed was a visa issue. Despite holding the correct documents for a short-term instructional visit, Langston alleges he was treated like a criminal from the start.
“I was handcuffed, searched, and thrown into a holding cell with absolutely no information,” he said. “They made me feel like I had done something horrific — all because of a technicality.”
He spent several days in jail without access to his belongings or legal support. His pleas for clarification reportedly went unanswered.
Outrage, Confusion, and Calls for Clarity
Langston’s case has sparked outrage among his students and supporters back home, with many questioning how a professional with no criminal record could be subjected to such treatment. Immigration officials have not commented on the specific case, citing privacy laws.
Human rights advocates say incidents like this point to the broader issue of inconsistent border enforcement and the lack of transparency in short-term visa detentions.
Langston was eventually released and sent back to Australia. Though grateful to be home, he says the ordeal left emotional scars — and a bitter view of a country he once admired.
“I love teaching, I love connecting with people. But after what I went through, I don’t know if I’ll ever return.”
