Chinelo Ejianwu, a young Nigerian entrepreneur, has gone viral after sharing a raw, emotional video detailing how she was denied entry into the United States while en route to participate in major trade fairs in Houston and New York.
In a five-minute message, the businesswoman said she had spent months preparing for the exhibitions.
She revealed she was detained for nearly 24 hours at a U.S. airport before being deported.
Her offence was entering the country on a B1/B2 visa while intending to exhibit and sell products, an activity U.S. immigration authorities classified as unauthorised work.
“I have thought of many ways to do this, but to be honest, none of it hurts any less,” she said tearfully.
“I won’t be at the trade fairs. I’m currently on my way back to Nigeria. This one hurt so bad.”
According to her account, U.S. border agents accessed her social media accounts, including Instagram messages with customers, which suggested she planned to engage in direct sales rather than attend as a passive exhibitor or observer.
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She admitted she was unaware of the visa limitations and didn’t intend to violate immigration laws.
“I just told them I was only going to exhibit. I didn’t know any better,” she said.
“I really wanted you guys to see the face behind this product. But I’ve come to terms with the fact that I messed up. I messed up big time.”
Despite the emotional and financial toll, she alluded to significant investments and potential losses, she maintained a sense of hope and gratitude while urging people to support her.
“Support me in any way you can. If you get to the fair, I have someone who will stand in for me,” she appealed to her followers.
“I know this is one of the ways the devil tries to make me doubt, but I trust God.
“His plans for me are of good, not of evil.”
