US federal law allows border agents to search people’s property, including phones and laptops, at entry points. Getty Images
The UK and German governments have updated their travel advice for the US, warning their citizens about the increased risk of arrest or detention. The changes come after several British and German nationals were reportedly detained at the US border due to stricter immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The UK’s foreign office now advises travelers to follow all entry and visa conditions carefully. The updated notice states, "You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules." Previously, the guidance only mentioned that US authorities strictly enforce entry rules but did not warn of possible detention.
Germany has also revised its travel advisory. It now highlights that having a visa or an entry waiver does not guarantee admission into the US. This update follows recent incidents where several German citizens were detained at the border. Germany’s foreign ministry confirmed that at least three Germans were denied entry and placed in deportation detention.
“The final decision on whether a person can enter the US lies with the US border authorities,” said a ministry spokesperson. However, they clarified that the advisory does not amount to a formal travel warning.
The recent travel warnings come after reports of travelers facing harsh treatment at the US border. Earlier this month, a British woman was held for over 10 days due to a possible visa violation. The UK foreign office confirmed it was providing support to the woman, who has since returned home.
In Canada, travel advice for the US was last updated on March 12. However, it does not include similar warnings about strict entry enforcement or the lack of guaranteed entry with a visa. Canada’s current advisory only mentions that travelers who overstay their visa or have a criminal record may face arrest or deportation.
A woman from British Columbia recently experienced this firsthand. She was detained for two weeks by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after trying to re-enter the US from Mexico while reapplying for a work visa. She reported being held in poor conditions and given little information by ICE agents, who claimed her paperwork was invalid.
An immigration lawyer warned her against crossing the border due to the current political climate, but she proceeded.
President Trump’s administration has introduced several immigration-related policies since he took office in January. These include stricter border controls, tougher visa screening, and increased crackdowns on undocumented migrants.
In another incident, a French scientist was denied entry into the US earlier this month. US border officials reportedly found text messages on his phone criticizing Trump. According to French media, authorities claimed the messages could be viewed as "terrorism-related." Despite the incident, France has not yet updated its US travel advisory.
