Germany and the UK have updated their travel advisories for citizens visiting the United States following a series of detentions at US borders, raising concerns over potential changes in American immigration enforcement.
Germany’s travel advisory now emphasizes that holding a US visa or an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) does not guarantee entry into the country. This revision comes after three German nationals were detained while attempting to enter the US, prompting fears that the US may be shifting its approach to border enforcement.
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Office confirmed on Wednesday that the advisory was updated the previous day in response to the recent detentions. The new guidance clarifies that “the final decision on whether a person can enter the US lies with US border authorities,” pointing out that similar standards apply in Germany for entry decisions.
“This is not a travel warning,” the spokesperson clarified, explaining that the update was meant to inform and protect German travelers given the changing landscape of US immigration enforcement.
Detentions of Three German Nationals
The incidents leading to the update of the travel guidance are beginning to unfold. One case involves a German man with a US green card who was detained at Boston airport after returning from Luxembourg. His family confirmed he has been in detention since his arrival.
Another case saw a 25-year-old German citizen detained while attempting to cross the US-Mexico border with his American fiancée in February. According to Spiegel magazine, the man spent two weeks in detention before being deported back to Germany.
A third case involved a 29-year-old German woman who was stopped at the US-Mexico border in January and was sent back to Germany just last week. The German Foreign Ministry is currently assessing whether these cases are isolated incidents or suggest a larger shift in US immigration policy.
UK Issues Stricter Advisory
Germany isn’t the only country expressing concern. The United Kingdom has also updated its travel advice for citizens traveling to the US. The new guidance from the British Foreign Office stresses the importance of adhering strictly to US entry and visa conditions.
“You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules,” the advisory states, highlighting the rigorous enforcement of entry requirements by US authorities.
This marks a significant shift from previous UK guidance, which only mentioned that US authorities “set and enforce entry rules.” Reports from British media earlier this month indicated that a UK national was detained at the US border for over ten days due to a potential visa violation. The British Foreign Office confirmed providing assistance, and the woman has since returned to the UK.
Tightening of US Immigration Policies
These recent detentions come amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to tighten US immigration policies. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has implemented multiple executive orders aimed at strengthening border security, increasing visa vetting, and enforcing stricter immigration controls.
These changes have led to heightened scrutiny at US ports of entry, creating uncertainty for foreign travelers, including those from traditionally allied nations like Germany and the UK.
German citizens, along with travelers from most EU countries, typically enjoy visa-free entry to the US for stays of up to 90 days under the ESTA system. However, recent detentions have raised questions about the reliability of this system under the current US administration.
The German Foreign Office has stated that it will continue to monitor the situation and assess whether these cases signal a systemic change in US immigration policy or whether they are isolated incidents.
