Not quite a terrorist, the article is a bit disingenuous - but it is the Guardian.
The kind of Visa she was applying for is risky, it's 'receive upon showing up' with a high rejection rate. Any advisor would have told her not to do that, but that's left out of the article and she's getting free publicity.
That being said, low level harassment is the new norm at customs - they're trying to demonstrate that they're serious. Visa requirements for over 30 days is new, but everyone does that occasionally. Canada slaps Visas on Mexicans when they get out of hand and word gets out and illegal immigration drops through word of mouth. Visa requirements are then dropped later.
One thing I've read that they are doing which is new, is people who would normally just be turned back at the frontier - is actually letting them in and then detaining them, holding them and sending them back. That's a publicity thing I suspect, to show there serious and get it talked about.
