Germany And UK Warn Of Travel To US After Reports Of Detentions

 

Travelers arriving to the U.S. typically encounter a welcome sign from US Customs and Border Protection

Two major European governments are warning citizens about travel to the U.S. following a string of high-profile cases in which American federal immigration authorities detained tourists and U.S. green cardholders trying to enter the country after promises by President Trump there would be tougher immigration enforcement.

Key Facts

The United Kingdom updated its foreign travel advice for the U.S. on Mar. 15, recommending visitors comply with U.S. authorities, which “set and enforce entry rules strictly” and warning, “You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules."

An archived version of the webpage from Feb. 1 shows the guidance had previously said: "The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules” with no mention of arrest or detention.

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office updated its website Tuesday, advising travelers that even having a valid authorization permit or U.S. visa doesn’t guarantee the right to enter the country and, if refused, “there is no legal recourse against this decision.”

A new paragraph warns: "Criminal records in the United States, false information about the purpose of their stay, or even a slight overstay of their visa upon entry or exit can lead to arrest, detention, and deportation.”

After Canada and Mexico, the United Kingdom is the largest market for inbound foreign tourists, sending roughly 4 million tourists to the U.S. last year, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) in the Department of Trade.

In 2024, about 2 million German travelers visited the U.S., per NTTO data.

These Are The High-Profile Cases Of Foreign Visitors Detained By The U.s.

Several recent cases of foreign leisure and business travelers detained in the U.S. have made headlines around the world—not only for the detentions but also for the harrowing treatment they claim to have received at the hands of U.S. immigration authorities. A Canadian entrepreneur was detained for two weeks at the San Diego border while attempting to legally enter the U.S. on a work visa, according to her account in The Guardian. A German national and U.S. green cardholder who has lived in the U.S. since he was a teenager says he was detained after returning to the U.S. and “violently interrogated, stripped naked, put in a cold shower.” Two other German tourists were deported back to Germany after spending two and six weeks in detention, respectively, with one claiming she had spent eight days in solitary confinement. A 28-year-old British artist from Wales says she was detained for 19 days in the U.S. and “removed in chains like Hannibal Lecter.” A French scientist who intended to attend a business conference was denied entry to the U.S., apparently because he had criticized the Trump administration's research policy in social media posts, the French Education Ministry said Thursday. The Department of Homeland Security has denied this, claiming the scientist had “confidential” data from an American lab, according to a New York Times report. Neither the U.S. Travel Association, the U.S. travel industry’s lobbying group, nor Brand USA, the marketing arm of U.S. tourism, have responded to Forbes’ requests for comment.

Crucial Quote

“We couldn’t disagree more. America is a premier travel destination — let’s encourage travel to the United States and showcase the people and destinations that make our country extraordinary,” the U.S. Travel Association tweeted this week in response to a call for a travel boycott of the United States.

Contra

"The Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws—something the previous administration failed to do. Those who violate these laws will be processed, detained, and removed as required,” said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. “A visa is a privilege, not a right, and only those who respect our laws and follow the proper procedures will be welcomed,” added Hilton Beckham, assistant commissioner for public affairs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Big Number

$254 billion. That’s how much foreign tourists spent in the U.S. in 2024, according to NTTO data.

What To Watch For

If significant numbers of foreign travelers avoid travel to the U.S. out of fear or organized boycotts, it would have a chilling effect on inbound tourism and potentially keep tens of billions of dollars from entering the U.S. economy.

Tangent

Many Canadian travelers are boycotting the U.S. over President Donald Trump’s tariffs and calls to make their country the “51st state,” resulting in a 23% drop in cross-border travel in February alone. A prolonged boycott at that level could cost the U.S. up to $4 billion in lost tourism revenue this year.