Australian released from US jail after bizarre visa bungle
An Australian man has been released from a US prison, two weeks after he was arrested over a visa bungle.
Baxter Reid was arrested at the Canadian border by US immigration officials after overstaying his visa by just 90 minutes on April 24.
His American girlfriend Heather Kansco was eagerly waiting as he walked free from the Buffalo Federal Detention Centre in Batavia, New York, jumping into his arms at the end of a two-week nightmare.
Despite his ordeal, the Canberra man said his experience won't stop him from returning to America..
“I've got a lot of friends, family, my girlfriend's here, her family; nothing has deterred me from coming back to the US,” he told 7 News.
“I don't hold a grudge, no not at all. I love America, it's fantastic.”
While locked away Ms Kansco set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for his legal defence.
However, the pair suffered a further setback when GoFundMe froze access to funds raised.
GoFundMe spokeswoman Kelly Galvin told the Canberra Times funds had been placed on hold until additional information could be provided about the campaign to protect donors.
“It’s not uncommon to get additional information about the campaign before the funds are transferred to the individual,” she said.
Mr Reid now has 120 days to leave the United States.
