NEW YORK: Pakistani actor Meera says Canadian immigration officials refused her entry at the Niagara border and returned her to the United States while she was travelling to attend a show.
Speaking to Geo News on Saturday, she recounted several hours of questioning after leaving New York. “I still do not know why I was deported from Canada,” Meera said.
She described the questions as basic and said she was trying to understand the reason for the decision. Meera suspected someone had made a malicious complaint against her.
Known professionally by her stage name, the actor’s real name is Syeda Irtiza Rubab. She holds a US Green Card and frequently travels there for personal and professional engagements.
During an earlier visit to Canada, she promoted her film “Psycho” in Calgary and performed on stage.
Read: Pakistani Actress Meera’s 10 Year UK Ban Ends, Entry Still Denied
British immigration authorities previously barred Meera from entering the United Kingdom for 10 years. Earlier immigration documents recorded questioning at Heathrow Airport and restrictions on her movement.
Her mother, Shafqat Zahra Bukhari, attributed that episode to a misunderstanding during an interview conducted in English. Bukhari claimed her daughter struggled to understand officials’ questions.
After the ban expired, British authorities rejected a further visa application, citing false representations.
In comments published on July 16, 2025, Meera asked British authorities for a visa to visit her sister in London. She said her sister was undergoing cancer treatment and that her family and home were in the city.
Meera described years of separation from her family because of the immigration dispute.