Germany and the UK have issued fresh travel warnings for citizens heading to the U.S., cautioning that visitors face strict immigration enforcement and could be detained for even minor infractions.
The UK Foreign Office warned on March 20 that travelers could be “liable to arrest or detention” for breaking the country’s strict entry rules. A day later, Germany’s foreign ministry echoed similar concerns, noting that even small visa overstays, outdated information on travel purposes, or past criminal records could lead to deportation.
In 2024, four million British and two million German tourists visited the U.S. However, recent detentions have sparked alarm. Welsh backpacker Rebecca Burke, 28, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in January and spent 19 days in a Washington State detention center. Authorities suspected her of visa violations, as she had planned to stay with a host family in exchange for domestic work.
Burke, who described the facility as indistinguishable from a prison, endured harsh conditions—insufficient sleep, cold temperatures, and a lack of basic supplies. Her father, Paul Burke, called the experience “horrendous,” emphasizing she had no access to legal representation. Burke was released on March 17 and returned home three days later.
Following her ordeal, the UK Foreign Office updated its U.S. travel guidance. Germany also revised its advisory after several German nationals faced similar detentions.
Among them is Fabian Schmidt, a German-born U.S. Green Card holder detained at Logan Airport in Boston upon returning from Luxembourg. His mother, Astrid Schmidt, told a local broadcaster that he was “violently interrogated,” stripped naked, and subjected to a cold shower before being transferred to a Rhode Island detention center. Schmidt, who remains in custody, had a minor marijuana charge from 2015, later dismissed under California’s revised drug laws.
Protesters have since rallied for his release. His lawyer criticized the harsh treatment, arguing there was no clear legal basis for his detention. U.S. Customs and Border Protection defended the decision, stating that any traveler with drug-related offenses is subject to review upon reentry.
With these high-profile cases stirring controversy, European governments are urging travelers to be cautious and fully understand U.S. immigration laws before visiting.
