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Politics

UK and Germany revise travel advisories for the US amid immigration scrutiny

Friday 21 March 2025 - 15:30 By: Dakir Madiha

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Following a series of troubling incidents involving European nationals, both the United Kingdom and Germany have updated their travel advisories for the United States. These changes come after reports of tourists being detained or returned home due to misunderstandings about their travel purposes or perceived documentation discrepancies.

A notable case that has drawn attention is that of 28-year-old British citizen Rebecca Burke. Detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for 19 days after being denied entry at the US-Canada border on February 28, Burke was accused of violating visa conditions while traveling through the US. She had been staying with various families, performing household tasks in exchange for accommodation. After being questioned by US customs, she was informed that she had breached her visa.

“She is not Hannibal Lecter,” remarked Burke’s father in an interview, highlighting the distressing conditions under which his daughter was transported to the airport, restrained in leg and waist chains.

In response, the UK Foreign Office has issued a travel advisory urging British citizens to adhere strictly to US border control measures. The advisory emphasizes that US authorities are increasingly detaining travelers for not meeting entry requirements, stating, “You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.”

Germany has similarly updated its travel advisory, cautioning that securing a US visa or entry waiver does not guarantee successful entry into the country. The advisory also addresses concerns regarding the treatment of transgender and nonbinary visitors, advising them to familiarize themselves with the latest US guidelines to prepare for potential complications upon arrival.

Another widely reported incident involved a French scientist who was denied entry and subsequently deported due to messages on his phone that expressed critical views of the Trump administration’s scientific policies. French Minister of Higher Education, Philippe Baptiste, defended the values of free opinion and research, asserting the necessity for French researchers to uphold these principles within legal bounds.

In France, the government has also intensified efforts to deport individuals deemed “threats to public order,” particularly targeting those accused of hate speech. This has led to heightened scrutiny of Muslims and pro-Palestine activists. Last year, Tunisian Imam Mhjoub Mahjoubi was deported after 38 years in France for allegedly radical comments. The former interior minister lauded the swift action, crediting the immigration law for enabling such measures.

Earlier this month, Imam Abdourahmane Ridouane received a suspended prison sentence and a two-year ban from France for alleged support of terrorism, highlighting the swift legal repercussions for those expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

While the US has a documented history of mistreating migrants and restricting free speech, it is notable that European countries, which have enacted similar policies against migrants from developing nations, appear more vocal when their own citizens are affected. This selective outrage reveals a deeper inconsistency in global responses to human rights abuses, often influenced by the identities of those involved.

This moral dichotomy was poignantly encapsulated by Rebecca Burke’s father, who remarked, “I can’t believe a British tourist is being kept in these conditions.”