Australian MMA coach Renato Subotic claimed he was mistakenly detained and jailed in the United States over a visa issue, describing his experience as a “chaotic” and humiliating ordeal that saw him locked up with violent inmates and denied basic rights.
Subotic, who had travelled to the US to conduct a seminar, said the incident has left him shocked at how quickly someone's freedom can be taken away.
The 33-year-old, who has coached Australia’s national MMA team, was stopped at the border and taken to an isolated room where he says he was interrogated for three hours. “The officer interviewing me looked like he was looking for something wrong,” Subotic wrote on Instagram, adding that despite being cooperative and providing full details of his trip, he was told there had been a mistake with his visa and he was being taken to jail.
Further describing his ordeal, he said that he was handcuffed, stripped of his belongings, and forced into a prison uniform before being taken to a federal facility where he was fingerprinted and photographed. “They walked me to my block – 4B. The moment the door opened, it was chaos. Fights between gangs, people screaming, arguing over food, what to watch on TV, crazy people running around. Madness,” he wrote.
Inside the cell, Subotic claimed he was met with a mattress stained with “p*** and blood.” When he later returned to find two men stealing his blanket, a physical altercation broke out.
A guard responded and told him, “You got a good welcome. Keep your head straight or you're gonna stay here longer.”
The coach remained in detention for around 24 hours before being taken to the airport. “At the airport, they kept me in a room without telling me when I’d fly,” he said. “Eventually, I got info: I was being deported.” Before boarding the plane, Subotic said a federal officer apologised, telling him, “They messed up big. It shouldn’t have gone this way.”
Subotic said he respects immigration rules but slammed the decision to imprison him. “It’s insane how easily someone can take away your freedom… Just like that, you’re treated like the worst criminal,” he said, adding that he’s now back in Australia and consulting lawyers.
His case comes as US President Donald Trump's administration ramps up immigration enforcement . As reported by SBS News , the US president recently revoked temporary legal status for over 500,000 immigrants and has faced criticism for detaining foreign visitors for minor visa issues .
“I hope this never happens to nobody else,” Subotic said.
Subotic, who had travelled to the US to conduct a seminar, said the incident has left him shocked at how quickly someone's freedom can be taken away.
The 33-year-old, who has coached Australia’s national MMA team, was stopped at the border and taken to an isolated room where he says he was interrogated for three hours. “The officer interviewing me looked like he was looking for something wrong,” Subotic wrote on Instagram, adding that despite being cooperative and providing full details of his trip, he was told there had been a mistake with his visa and he was being taken to jail.
Further describing his ordeal, he said that he was handcuffed, stripped of his belongings, and forced into a prison uniform before being taken to a federal facility where he was fingerprinted and photographed. “They walked me to my block – 4B. The moment the door opened, it was chaos. Fights between gangs, people screaming, arguing over food, what to watch on TV, crazy people running around. Madness,” he wrote.
Inside the cell, Subotic claimed he was met with a mattress stained with “p*** and blood.” When he later returned to find two men stealing his blanket, a physical altercation broke out.
A guard responded and told him, “You got a good welcome. Keep your head straight or you're gonna stay here longer.”
The coach remained in detention for around 24 hours before being taken to the airport. “At the airport, they kept me in a room without telling me when I’d fly,” he said. “Eventually, I got info: I was being deported.” Before boarding the plane, Subotic said a federal officer apologised, telling him, “They messed up big. It shouldn’t have gone this way.”
Subotic said he respects immigration rules but slammed the decision to imprison him. “It’s insane how easily someone can take away your freedom… Just like that, you’re treated like the worst criminal,” he said, adding that he’s now back in Australia and consulting lawyers.
His case comes as US President Donald Trump's administration ramps up immigration enforcement . As reported by SBS News , the US president recently revoked temporary legal status for over 500,000 immigrants and has faced criticism for detaining foreign visitors for minor visa issues .
“I hope this never happens to nobody else,” Subotic said.
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