What was supposed to be a high-powered business trip to Los Angeles turned into a nightmare for a Croatian hedge fund executive who found herself detained, interrogated, and ultimately sent packing back to the UK — all within 26 hours.
Jasmina Midzic’s Jet-Set Plans Come to a Sudden Halt
Jasmina Midzic, a 36-year-old managing director at Miami-based Typhon Capital Management, had flown in from London expecting to attend the prestigious Milken Institute Global Conference — an event graced by the likes of Elon Musk and First Lady Jill Biden.
But when she landed at Los Angeles International Airport, things didn’t go as planned.
Instead of a hotel check-in and conference networking, Midzic found herself in custody. U.S. immigration officers detained her for over a day before placing her on a return flight to the UK, according to a report from the New York Post.
Accused of Working on a Tourist Visa
At the heart of the incident is a serious allegation — that Midzic had been working in the U.S. while holding a B1/B2 tourist visa, which explicitly prohibits employment.
Officials allege she admitted to earning around $13,000 a month while residing in the U.S. on that visa. That, they say, was a violation of immigration law.
But Midzic is pushing back hard on the claims.
“I would never break the law,” she told the Post. “My friends are judges and prosecutors in the U.S. This is a complete violation of my rights.”
Claims of Bias and Rights Violations
Midzic didn’t hold back when describing her treatment, claiming she was stereotyped and treated unfairly.
“They didn’t listen because I’m a white European and I work for a hedge fund,” she said.
“They got very offended that I don’t want American citizenship.”
She added that her trip was strictly for business — to help raise capital for her firm.
Yet that wasn’t enough to satisfy officials, who reportedly flagged the frequency of her U.S. visits and her previous failed application for an L1 visa in 2023.
Support from Her Boss and Background in Global Finance
James Koutoulas, founder of Typhon Capital and Midzic’s employer, is standing firmly by her side.
“She didn’t break any laws,” he insisted to the Post. “If they want to smear her, then I will see them in court.”
Midzic, according to her corporate bio, has a rich background in international finance, with experience across major cities like New York, London, Dubai, Zug, and Miami.
She previously held a managerial role at the New York-based firm JurisTrade, also founded by Koutoulas.
Luxury Lifestyle Now Under Scrutiny
Though she’s recently locked her Instagram, glimpses of her globe-trotting lifestyle remain visible online.
Her Facebook features scenes of her skiing in the French Alps, sipping champagne on beaches, and embracing the luxury that comes with high finance.
Typhon Capital, the firm she represents, reportedly manages around $250 million in assets — making her a visible figure in the finance world.
Homeland Security Says Visa Rules Were Broken
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, told the Post that Midzic violated the conditions of her entry under her B1/B2 visa.
“Immigration laws must be followed,” McLaughlin stated.
“Those seeking to work in the United States must do so through legal and lawful means or face the consequences.”
Not the Only Foreign National Caught in the Crackdown
Midzic’s ordeal isn’t isolated. The Trump administration has ramped up enforcement under its hardline immigration policies.
Another recent case involved Welsh tourist Becky Burke, 28, who spent 19 days in detention over what officials called a “visa mix-up” at the US-Canada border.
ICE has also carried out mass arrests across the country as part of the administration’s broader deportation campaign.
Trump Administration Eyes Suspending Habeas Corpus
In an even more controversial move, the Trump administration is considering suspending habeas corpus — the constitutional right to challenge detention in court — as part of its immigration strategy.
“The Constitution is clear,” said White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, referencing invasion clauses. “It’s an option we’re actively looking at.”
According to Miller, the administration’s next moves depend on whether the courts align with their interpretation of executive power during what they’ve framed as a national immigration crisis.
A Tangled Web of Immigration, Finance, and Politics
As for Midzic, her future travel to the U.S. — and possibly her professional reputation — remains in limbo.
Typhon Capital has not yet issued a formal comment, and it’s unclear whether legal action will follow.
For now, her jet-set lifestyle has hit an unexpected turbulence — at the crossroads of money, power, and strict immigration enforcement.