Pair without valid visas ‘treated like terrorists’ in US

ONE of two cousins detained in the United States for two months after being caught without a valid visa described how they were transported by plane, shackled and surrounded by armed guards.

“It was like something out of Con Air. You’d swear we were terrorists,” said Alan Whelan after he and cousin Cliff, both 23, returned home to Waterford yesterday.

The pair were detained after being arrested by border guards in Montana. They overstayed their three-month holiday visas and after being arrested were held in a number of detention centres.