An Australian MMA coach’s trip to the United States took an unexpected and distressing turn when he was allegedly detained by US immigration officers.
Renato Subotic, a well-known figure in the Australian MMA community, was traveling to the US for a coaching seminar but ended up facing a nightmare scenario at the border.
A Promising Trip Turns Into a Nightmare
Subotic had arrived in the United States with high hopes for his seminar, eager to share his expertise with fellow MMA enthusiasts.
However, his excitement quickly turned into frustration when immigration officials pulled him aside for questioning.
In a social media post, Subotic described the ordeal, recounting how he was taken to an isolated room where he was interrogated for hours.
“I arrived in America excited, ready to coach my seminar,” he wrote. “It was supposed to be a great trip. Instead, I got stopped at the border.”
Despite providing all the details about his seminar and trip, Subotic claimed the immigration officers seemed suspicious and kept pressing him for answers.
Stripped of Rights and Taken to Federal Prison
The situation escalated when Subotic was told there was a problem with his visa documentation.
With no clear explanation, he was handcuffed and transported to a federal prison.
“No rights, no clear explanation, just handcuffs and a ride to jail,” Subotic shared, describing his experience as surreal.
“They stripped me of all my belongings and gave me just a blanket and a sheet.”
What followed was an overwhelming and chaotic experience inside the prison.
Subotic described fights between inmates, yelling over food, and a general sense of disorder.
He also recalled an unsettling encounter where he was involved in a scuffle with another prisoner who allegedly tried to steal his belongings.
Subotic was warned by a guard that he would be stuck in prison longer if he didn’t “keep his head straight.”
A Stay Behind Bars and the Aftermath
Subotic spent several days in the federal prison before being transferred back to the airport, where he was held in a room without any information about his flight.
Eventually, he learned that he would be deported.
“I’m sorry this happened to you,” one of the officers reportedly said as he escorted Subotic to his plane.
“They messed up big. It shouldn’t have gone this way.”
For Subotic, the entire experience was a harsh reminder of how easily a person’s freedom could be taken away without warning or a clear explanation. “No warning.
Just like that, you’re treated like the worst criminal,” he said, expressing disbelief over the harsh treatment he received for what seemed to be a minor issue with his visa application.
Legal Action and Calls for Justice
Now back in Australia, Subotic is considering legal action, expressing his frustration with the way he was treated. “I’ll speak with my lawyers.
Something has to be done about the way I was treated,” he said, urging that no one should have to go through such an experience.
Subotic’s story has raised concerns over the treatment of travelers by immigration authorities, especially in light of the Trump administration’s tougher stance on immigration.
In the end, Subotic apologized to his fans who were hoping to attend his seminar, but he remains hopeful that his ordeal will lead to changes in how people are treated at US borders.
