Ivana Bacik holds up meme of bald baby JD Vance in the Dáil
A MEME OF US Vice President JD Vance depicted as a baby was held up in the Dáil today by Labour leader Ivana Bacik.
Bacik used the prop to illustrate her frustration at the United States' recent clampdown on international visas, including the popular J1 visa used by Irish students.
Earlier this week, the US
announced
that future applicants looking to visit the country will be required to divulge 'all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last five years' on their visa application form.
They are also required to set their social media profiles to public.
Bacik told the Dáil today that this is a 'major incursion on the freedom of expression'.
'Each year, thousands of young Irish people work in the US on J1 visas. I've done it myself, I had a very happy summer in Boston many years ago. And generally it's a very positive experience.
'But things have changed drastically under US President Trump with the recent authoritarian announcement that students would have to hand over social media accounts.
'We're watching a major incursion on the freedom of expression, unthinkable in an electoral democracy.
'This week, a young Norwegian tourist detained by ICE at the airport was sent back to Oslo. Why? He had this meme on his phone minister,' Bacik said as she held up a sheet of paper.
Bacik described the meme as amusing.
'A meme depicting Vice President JD Vance as a baby. I mean, extraordinary. Extraordinary that a young person with this amusing meme on their phone, depicting a public person, that this would be used as an excuse to detain him for five hours and then deport him back to Oslo.'
Advertisement
Bacik said she welcomed Tánaiste Simon Harris's
promise this week to raise the J1 visa issue with the US Ambassador to Ireland
, but asked what Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan (who has responsibility for issuing visas in Ireland) will do to reassure young people travelling to the United States.
In response, O'Callaghan said there is 'very little' he can do about the US immigration system.
'Like I'm trying to put rules on the Irish immigration system, I can't control the US immigration system,' he said.
O'Callaghan looked somewhat dejected while he listened to the Labour leader.
O'Callaghan added that he thinks the new rules imposed by the US are 'regrettable' and he welcomed the criticism of the decision by both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
Norweigan tourist
The Norwegian tourist Bacik referred to claimed he was denied entry to the US because of the meme of Vance on his phone.
The story was first reported by Norwegian newspaper Nordlys on Monday, and then picked up by the Daily Mail on Tuesday.
The tourist, Mads Mikkelsen, claimed he was threatened with a $5,000 fine or five years in prison if he refused to provide the password to his mobile device, which he did.
Mikkelsen claimed he was sent home to Norway after authorities discovered the Vance meme on his phone.
However, the US Customs and Border Protection has since stated that the tourist was denied entry because of his 'admitted drug use'.
In a post on X, the organisation said it was not for any memes or political reasons.
Fact Check: FALSE
Mads Mikkelsen was not denied entry for any memes or political reasons, it was for his admitted drug use.
pic.twitter.com/is9eGqILUq
— CBP (@CBP)
June 24, 2025
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
British ambassador to leave diplomatic service after ‘falling in love with Dublin'
Mr Johnston was due to return to London in September after five years in Ireland during which he played a key role in rebuilding Anglo-Irish relations in the post-Brexit era. However, the Scottish native told invitees at his annual garden party tonight that he plans to leave the diplomatic service after falling in love with Ireland. The Irish Independent understands he will take up a role in the education sector later this year. Mr Johnston (57) moved to Dublin, along with his wife Nicola, in September 2020. He has regularly spoken about enjoying the posting despite arriving at a difficult time for political relations and in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Several hundred guests attended a party to mark King Charles's birthday at the ambassador's residence in Glencairn, south Dublin where he made the surprise announcement. Among the crowd were EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien, Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman, former tánaistí Frances Fitzgerald and Mary Harney, RTÉ presenters Claire Byrne and Oliver Callan, and architect Dermot Bannon. Mr Johnson said he had 'a little bit of news' and explained that he had 'fallen in love' with Dublin. He added that 'people are the lights of every city'. 'That's very much what it's felt like for Nicola and me in Ireland. The people we've met have been the highlight of our time here. 'And it's primarily because of the people that we've met that we've taken quite a big decision.' The diplomat has worked with the UK public service for 35 years. He has served in Paris and New York and has also had a wide range of political and security roles in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.
Sunday World
4 hours ago
- Sunday World
Kneecap release film calling for arms embargo against Israel
The film's release comes days before they are set to the take to the stage at Glastonbury music festival in the UK. Kneecap has released a short film calling for an arms embargo against Israel ahead of their appearance at Glastonbury. The film, which was released on the Irish rappers' social media channels this evening, is entitled 'Stop the Genocide' and features contributions from Palestinian activists and human rights experts, such as Ghassan Ghaben, Dr James Smith, Malak Mattar, and Dr Rossel Morhij. It also includes a link to a website which features resources for those who wish to learn more about the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The west Belfast trio are listed as producers on the film. The film's release comes days before they are set to the take to the stage at Glastonbury Festival. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The group have faced mounting controversy in recent weeks following a charge brought against one of their members under the Terrorism Act. Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in June charged with supporting a proscribed organisation. The charge relates to an incident at a London concert in November 2024, where the rapper was alleged to have held up a Hezbollah flag and encouraged support for both Hezbollah and Hamas from the stage. He denies the allegations and has been released on unconditional bail ahead of a further court hearing scheduled for August. Kneecap The charge has sparked widespread political and public debate, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stating it would be 'inappropriate' for the group to perform at Glastonbury while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch went further, calling for the BBC to refrain from broadcasting Kneecap's set. Earlier today, the UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the trio, who released a critically acclaimed biopic film last year, 'thrive on the oxygen of publicity' and said she agreed with the Prime Minister's comments around Kneecap's Glastonbury set, which is set to take place on Saturday afternoon. But Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis said people who do not agree with the politics of the event "can go somewhere else". Eavis (89), and his daughter, organiser Emily Eavis, could be seen counting down and cheering as a brass band as they opened the gates to the festival earlier. Kneecap News in 90 Seconds - June 26th The festival has always had a political element to it with stages such as Left Field and Green Fields' Speakers Forum welcoming politicians, pundits and celebrities to speak on topics that range from feminism to fascism. Asked if the event still stands for something, Eavis told Glastonbury Free Press, the festival's resident newspaper: "Oh heaven's above, yes, of course it does. "And I think the people that come here are into all those things. People that don't agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else!" Sir Michael, who has used a wheelchair to get around the festival in recent years, said he still gets "really excited" for the five-day celebration of performing arts and music, though he can "no longer run around like I used to". He told the paper: "I still take a lot of pleasure from all of it. I'm enjoying every day. And Emily is doing so well. I'm just feeling really safe with the show being in her hands." Kneecap also faced recent controversy after footage from a November 2023 gig circulated online which appeared to show a member stating 'Kill your local MP.' They late apologised to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox. The group were also removed from the line-up of the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow after organisers cited security concerns raised by Police Scotland. In response, Kneecap have insisted they do not support terrorist organisations and have described the allegations as 'politically motivated.' Despite the controversy, the group's rescheduled Glasgow show sold out in under two minutes, and high-profile figures including author Irvine Welsh and members of Massive Attack have publicly supported their right to free speech.
Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Irish Times
Minister denies Sinn Féin's claim anti-terrorism Bill contains a ‘Kneecap' clause
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has rejected Opposition claims that Kneecap band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh could be prosecuted under antiterrorism legislation being introduced in the Dáil. Sinn Féin justice spokesman Matt Carthy described provisions of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism Offences) (Amendment) Bill as the 'Kneecap clause' in the wake of the prosecution in England of the Belfast band member whose stage name is 'Mo Chara'. He was charged under UK antiterrorism legislation with showing support for a proscribed organisation. It is alleged he draped himself in a Hizbullah flag at a London gig last November and shouted 'up Hamas , up Hizbullah', referring to the Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups respectively. He is contesting the charge. The proposed new Irish legislation broadens the category of terrorist offences to bring it in line with a 2017 EU directive, to include travelling or facilitating travel for the purposes of terrorism and receiving or providing training for terrorism. READ MORE The Bill also revises the definition of provoking terrorism, stating that the glorification of a terrorist activity, including by praise or celebration, 'may be considered publicly provoking the commission of a terrorist offence'. Mr Carthy, who called this the 'Kneecap clause', said it is 'deeply problematic' because 'there is a real fear that this inclusion could lead to charges against political activism and legitimate freedom of expression, similar to the manner in which Mo Chara from Kneecap is currently facing terrorism charges in the UK'. This sort of antiterrorism legislation 'undercuts civil liberties, free speech and the rule of law, with little or no effect on actual terrorist activity', he said. 'It is exactly the type of language that has been used, in the North in particular, to attempt to curtail the rights of families to remember loved ones killed in the conflict in the six counties. It has equally been used in arguments against commemorating the 1916 Rising or wearing an Easter lily,' he said. But Mr O'Callaghan said 'what Kneecap is being prosecuted for in the UK would not happen here'. [ Fans rally behind Kneecap after London court appearance: 'If you're supporting Ireland, you're supporting Kneecap' Opens in new window ] 'Under this legislation, people would be entitled to say they support Hamas, although it has been involved in reprehensible behaviour,' he said. Describing the UK legislation as 'alarmingly wide' and a provision 'that would not be enacted by this House', he said that under the UK law it is an offence if a person in a public place 'wears, carries or displays an article in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation'. Sinn Féin's Mark Ward said people singing republican songs about Irish heroes could be prosecuted under the legislation. However, the Minister said the deputy could sing whatever songs he wants. 'People can sing songs about the Boys of Barr na Sráide and the Men Behind the Wire. In loyalist parts of Belfast, they can sing whatever they want.' He said TDs' 'concern that this will have a restrictive impact on protest or freedom of expression is not accurate'. 'The only time your message is going to come within the criminal law and face criminal sanction is if it is being done with the intention of inciting someone else to commit criminal terrorist activity.'
