Newsroom
For many Europeans, a road trip through the U.S. has long been a bucket-list experience—crossing vast landscapes, exploring iconic cities, and discovering the country’s diverse culture. But for some, a simple border crossing is now raising serious concerns about what happens when they try to return to the U.S. after a trip to Mexico or Canada.
Take the case of Lucas Sielaff, a German tourist who was detained at the U.S.-Mexico border last month. Sielaff, who had been visiting his fiancé in Las Vegas on a 90-day tourist permit, was stopped by U.S. border agents on their way back from Tijuana, Mexico. Despite having no plans to overstay and no criminal record, he was handcuffed, shackled, and sent to a crowded immigration detention center for 16 days. His fiancé, U.S. citizen Lennon Tyler, was also detained and left handcuffed to a bench for hours.
Most European tourists visit the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens from certain countries, including Germany, to stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa.
Sielaff’s ordeal is just one of several reports of European tourists being unexpectedly detained at U.S. border crossings. These incidents are raising troubling questions for travelers, especially as the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policies seem to be making it harder for foreign nationals—particularly those from countries that enjoy relaxed visa requirements—to safely enjoy their time in the U.S.
Why are tourists being detained?
Most European tourists visit the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens from certain countries, including Germany, to stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. While this system is designed to make travel easier, it also gives U.S. immigration authorities a great deal of power to deny entry or detain travelers for a range of reasons—many of which seem unclear or inconsistent.
Sielaff’s case is particularly puzzling. He and Tyler had only left the U.S. for a short trip to Mexico, well within the 90-day limit of his tourist visa. Yet, despite offering to return home voluntarily, he was detained and forced to wait for weeks before he was allowed to fly back to Germany. Other tourists, including a German woman named Jessica Brösche, spent weeks in detention with little explanation of why they were being held.
Pedro Rios, who works with migrants at the American Friends Service Committee, said these detentions are “unusual” for tourists from Western countries, especially those with valid travel permits. “The rationale for detaining these people doesn’t make sense,” he said. “It doesn’t justify the abhorrent treatment and conditions they endured.”
Is this a new trend?
These detentions are part of a growing trend under the Trump administration, which has taken a tougher stance on immigration, even for those who are legally authorized to visit. There have been multiple reports of European tourists, including those from the UK and Canada, being detained at U.S. borders. Some, like Sielaff, were simply trying to return from a short trip outside the country, but others were detained for simply arriving at the border with a valid visa.
This shift has caused anxiety for foreign visitors who fear that their travel plans could be derailed, or worse, they could face long periods in detention or even deportation. Travel experts and immigration attorneys are warning tourists to be more cautious when planning trips, especially when crossing U.S. borders by land.
Should European tourists be worried?
The question now on the minds of many Europeans planning to visit the U.S. is simple: should we be worried? And the answer, it seems, depends on the individual case.
While some tourists may face no issues when entering or re-entering the U.S., others could find themselves in a difficult situation if they don't meet certain requirements or are mistakenly flagged by border agents. Recent cases, like Sielaff’s, suggest that travelers could be detained for extended periods without clear reasons, even if they are legally permitted to stay in the U.S.
Travel experts recommend that European tourists stay informed about U.S. immigration policies, be prepared for the possibility of extra questioning, and ensure they have all necessary documentation in order. It’s also wise to consider the unpredictability of the current administration’s policies, as they seem to be shifting regularly.
The bigger picture
These detentions also raise larger questions about the future of U.S. tourism. With stricter border policies in place, European tourists may be less inclined to make plans that involve travel across the U.S.-Mexico or U.S.-Canada borders. For those considering road trips or visits to family in the U.S., the risks of detention or delays could outweigh the benefits of a relaxing vacation.
*With information from AP News
