The United States has always been a dream destination for travelers worldwide, famous for its bustling cities, breathtaking national parks, and diverse cultural experiences. But recently, a wave of aggressive immigration enforcement has left many visitors—especially from Canada and Europe—questioning whether America is still a safe and welcoming place to visit. Stories of tourists being detained, interrogated for hours, and even deported despite having proper visas are spreading fast, causing alarm among frequent travelers.
One of the most shocking cases involves Rebecca “Becky” Burke, a 28-year-old Welsh backpacker who planned the trip of a lifetime across North America. After Canadian border officials denied her entry due to a misunderstanding about her visa status, she tried to return to the U.S. only to be labeled an “illegal alien” and detained for 19 days. Her father described her ordeal in a Washington detention center, where she slept under glaring fluorescent lights, ate poor-quality food, and shared a cramped space with other detainees. Without explanation, she was suddenly shackled and deported back to the UK, leaving her family scrambling to meet her at Heathrow Airport.
Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney faced a similar nightmare when U.S. border agents detained her at the San Ysidro crossing near San Diego. Despite having crossed the border many times before, she was held for nearly two weeks in what her mother called “inhumane” conditions—locked in a concrete cell with constant artificial light, no proper bedding, and limited access to basic facilities. Mooney, who was in the process of legally obtaining a work visa, was treated like a criminal before being abruptly released and sent back to Canada.
Language barriers have also led to shocking outcomes. German tourist Lucas Sielaff was traveling with his American fiancée when border agents accused him of violating his 90-day visa—even though he had only used 22 days. A simple miscommunication about their travel plans led to his arrest, a 16-day detention in overcrowded facilities, and a forced deportation that cost his fiancée nearly $3,000 for a last-minute flight to Germany. She now plans to sue the U.S. government, calling the treatment “blatant abuse of power.”
These are not rare incidents. Reports suggest that many travelers from visa-waiver countries, including Canada and parts of Europe, have faced similar harsh treatment. Tourism experts warn that if these policies continue, the U.S. could see a significant drop in international visitors. Travelers are now being extra cautious—double-checking visa requirements, keeping all documents ready, and avoiding unnecessary border crossings.
The bigger question remains: Will the U.S. continue to be seen as a top travel destination, or will these strict enforcement measures keep tourists away? For now, the stories of Becky, Jasmine, and Lucas serve as a sobering warning to anyone planning a trip to America.
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