A social media post about a foreign traveler being denied entry into the US at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has sparked controversy about visa rules and the powers of US border officials.The issue came to light after a Reddit user claimed that a friend traveling on a valid B-1/B-2 visitor visa was denied entry upon arrival and detained by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).According to the Post, the traveler was in CBP custody for several days, causing concern for family members and friends after they lost contact with him.“A friend of mine with a valid B1/B2 visa was denied entry upon arrival at LAX. He has been in CBP custody for almost 3 days now, and neither I nor his family have been able to contact him,” the Reddit user wrote.The passenger managed to send a short message shortly after landing before all communications were cut off.“Immediately after arriving, he used his phone for about 5 minutes and messaged me that his visa had been rejected and they were holding him. Since then, his phone has been completely inoperable, and we have heard nothing further,” the post said.The Reddit user said relatives had become concerned as the days passed with no updates on his condition.According to the user, the person had gone to the US about seven to eight months ago and had stayed for about four to five months. The poster emphasized that visitors did not overstay beyond the period authorized by immigration officials.However, the user claimed that the traveler had taken up food delivery work during that trip when he was short of money.“For some context: He visited the US about 7-8 months ago and stayed for about 4-5 months. He did not overstay his authorized period of entry. However, while he was here, he ran out of money and worked under-the-table food delivery for a short time,” the Reddit user wrote.

The poster believes that immigration officials may have discovered evidence of alleged unauthorized work and linked it to the decision to deny entry.“My guess is that CBP would have discovered this and concluded that he violated his visa. Does this seem like a probable cause to deny entry?” the user asked.Immigration experts often point out that possessing a valid visa does not automatically guarantee entry into the US. CBP officers have the authority to question arriving travelers and determine whether they are eligible for entry. Unauthorized employment while visiting the US on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa may be considered a violation of immigration regulations and may affect future travel and entry decisions.