TACOMA — An Australian man who rode his bicycle from Florida to Washington state is facing deportation after overstaying his visa, officials and friends said.
The Peninsula Daily News reported on Monday that David Fagan, 29, attempted to enter Canada on June 11 through Sumas to stay at his companion’s mother’s house in British Columbia before traveling to England. He was denied entry and when he was in the border area, U.S. Customs and Border Protection determined Fagan had overstayed his three-month visa.
“We don’t know what is happening right now,” said Fagan’s riding partner, Dawn Lumsden. “It’s a waiting game. It could take up to three weeks, but we cross our fingers it will be shorter.”
Fagan was transported to the Tacoma detention center for immigrants, where he has been since, Lumsden said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said she couldn’t speculate on Fagan’s case, saying that each is different. But the type of visa he had does not allow him to challenge removal from the country, she said.
Fagan and Lumsden entered the United States in January. They planned to ride their bikes with their two dogs. The couple pedaled about six hours each day and traveled through Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state.
The duo writes children’s books and wrote about their cross-country ride on their blog.
“We knew that Fin’s visa was expired, but we were having so much fun traveling through the states,” Lumsden said. “We never thought he could be thrown in jail for this.”
Lumsden, who is Canadian, had a six-month visa.
“If we were let into Canada, this never would have been an issue, and Fin would be with me right now relaxing at my mom’s with the doggies,” Lumsden said.
If Fagan is deported, he could fly to England for a planned book tour on time, but the couple would forfeit the nonrefundable tickets they have already purchased, Lumsden said.
Fagan’s deportation would bar him from entering the U.S. legally for 10 years, Dankers said.
“I know it’s our own fault, so we can’t say `poor me,”‘ Lumsden said. “Fin overstayed his tourist visa and is facing the consequences, but I think it is rather harsh.”
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