Britain and Germany have updated their travel advisories for the United States, warning citizens about strict enforcement of entry rules following several high-profile detention cases. The UK Foreign Office now advises that anyone breaking US entry conditions may face arrest or detention, as laws are “strictly” enforced.
Germany also revised its advisory on Wednesday, emphasising that a visa or ESTA waiver does not guarantee entry. This follows multiple German nationals being detained at US borders. The updated guidance reflects growing concerns over the treatment of foreign visitors under the Trump administration.
One notable case involves Rebecca Burke, a 28-year-old British graphic artist, who was held for 19 days in a US facility despite believing she had followed correct procedures. She was eventually deported in chains, prompting her father to compare her treatment to that of “Hannibal Lecter.”
The warnings come amid a broader downturn in US tourism. A report by Tourism Economics projects a 5% drop in international visitors in 2025, costing the US economy an estimated $64 billion. Canadian tourism alone is expected to fall by 15%, costing $2.1 billion, as former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadians to travel locally instead.
Flight Centre, Canada’s largest travel agency, reported a surge in customers cancelling US vacations and rebooking elsewhere. Industry experts attribute the decline to media coverage of detention stories, Trump’s tariffs, and his rhetoric against other nations, including his recent claim that the EU was created to “screw” the US.
