Australian Former NSW Police Officer Detained and Deported When Trying to Visit Her USA Military Husband

Nikki Saroukos, a 25 year old Greek Australian former New South Wales police officer, was detained, cavity searched, and deported when trying to visit her USA military husband where he is stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii.

She and her mother arrived Sunday 18 May 2025 for a three week visit with her husband, who is a USA Army lieutenant. He has been stationed in Hawaii since August 2023. This was her third visit to the USA since marrying her husband around the end of last year.

Customs and Border Protection officers took her aside for having “too much luggage” with too many clothes, some cookware and utensils which she was bringing to her husband because exchange rates made prices in Australia favorable. Even with evidence of her return flight, CBP did not believe she would leave within the time limits of her Electronic System for Travel Authorization visa waiver.

Saroukos’ mother was allowed entry, so they were separated. Saroukos was taken to a room. where CBP took her phone and demanded its passcode. CBP officers laughed at her when she said her husband is in the military.  Interrogation included her past service as a police officer and questions about her tattoos. CBP suggested she had links with criminal groups or gangs.

She was required to write a statement detailing the reasons for her travel, her income, and her marital relationship. CBP took fingerprints and an oral DNA swab. CBP denied her entry to the USA.

CPB put her in the Honolulu Federal Detention Center, which inflicted a cavity search on her and made her change into a prison uniform. That night she was in a cell with a Fijian woman detained on a wedding trip and a variety of inmates, one of whom had been convicted of murder. She was denied food, not allowed to shower and not allowed to contact her husband.

Her mother did not know where she was and contacted the Australian consulate. After this, on Monday 19 May she was escorted publicly in handcuffs through the airport and deported on a flight at 12:15 in the afternoon. The consulate arranged for Saroukos and her mother to both be on that flight.

Her husband was never informed by authorities that they detained Saroukos. He is now trying to resign from the military so he can move to Australia to be with her.

Saroukos said, “I never want to return to the U.S. They’ve traumatized me.” She warned others against visiting the USA.

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