Weekslong lockups of European tourists at US borders spark fears of traveling to America
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Lennon Tyler and her German fiancé, Lucas Sielaff, often took road trips to Mexico during his vacations in the United States, enjoying their long-distance relationship with adventures. Things went terribly wrong during one such trip when they returned from Tijuana last month.
Upon arrival at the U.S. border, U.S. border agents took drastic actions against them; while Tyler, a U.S. citizen, was handcuffed and chained to a bench, Sielaff faced accusations of violating the rules of his 90-day U.S. tourist permit. This couple’s encounter did not stand alone; it was part of an alarming trend of extended detentions of tourists from Europe and Canada.
Sielaff, 25, spent 16 days in a U.S. immigration detention center, only to fly back to Germany on March 5 for $2,744. His experience is echoed by other tourists caught in similar circumstances, highlighting increasing tensions at U.S. borders under the current administration.
Another alarming case involved Jessica Brösche, also German, who was apprehended at the Tijuana crossing on January 25, 2025, and remained locked up for over six weeks, with a duration in solitary confinement that left her traumatized. In a more recent instance, a backpacker from Wales named Becky Burke found herself detained for nearly three weeks before her return to the UK.
The border captivity fears don’t end with Sielaff’s and Brösche’s cases. Canadian Jasmine Mooney, on a U.S. work visa, was held on March 3 and released on March 8, intensifying concerns surrounding U.S. border enforcement practices.
Pedro Rios, director of the American Friends Service Committee’s US-Mexico border program, noted, “It’s definitely unusual with these cases so close together, and the rationale for detaining these people doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t justify the abhorrent treatment and conditions” they endured.
It appears that travelers from Western Europe and Canada are facing this crackdown without much clarity as to the reasons for their detainment. Even after voluntarily offering to exit the United States, their departures were still forced through detainment.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement acknowledged that both Sielaff and Brösche were “deemed inadmissible” by Customs and Border Protection, but did not elaborate on the specifics. The heightened scrutiny is leading to new advisories. Following these detentions, both Britain and Germany updated their travel warnings, cautioning citizens traveling to America.
The University of California, Los Angeles, sent a notice advising foreign-born students that travel risks might escalate during spring break, as re-entry requirements could change without notice.
The tightening grip of U.S. border enforcement has led to fears regarding life for tourists. After returning from Tijuana on February 18, just days into Sielaff’s 90-day permit, he and Tyler had innocuous plans only to be met with aggressive questioning. Sielaff’s limited English proficiency prompted a miscommunication that led to his apprehension.
As the tale unfolded, Tyler witnessed her fiancé being taken away while she was forcibly restrained. For hours, she had no clue about Sielaff’s situation, who ended up in a holding cell for two days before moving to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego.
Reflecting on the horrors of his time in detention, Sielaff recounted, “You are angry, you are sad, you don’t know when you can get out. You just don’t get any answers from anybody.”
Lucas’s family is also undoubtedly feeling the aftermath of his detention, as they, too, have questioned the fairness of these U.S. immigration procedures.
Adding to the mounting concerns is the ongoing detention of Mahmoud Khalil, another activist and graduate student, by the Department of Homeland Security as further sign of a crackdown on voices critical of policies in Gaza.
Reports of apprehensions across diverse demographics, including that of Taal, a Cornell graduate student, generated protests at universities advocating for rights of Palestinians. During rallies, Taal’s statement regarding concerns over free speech highlights a rising trend where basic expressions of support for a political cause could lead to dire consequences, as he expressed, “It is nothing short of tragic that expressing this basic wish has become an act of treason according to the president.”
These instances are not isolated; they reflect an overarching atmosphere of apprehension among tourists and immigrant communities regarding safety and security when crossing U.S. borders today. With October’s executive orders still resonating throughout governmental functions, the immigrants and visitors have voiced calls for clarity, fairness, and compassion.
Amidst all this turmoil, individuals like Mayor Quinton Lucas from Kansas City expressed a desire to create conversations and spaces for immigrants to share their fears and challenges in light of recent policy changes. Lucas, meeting with numerous community members, pointed to the need for better conditions and protections for all residents, urging enforcement of fair housing practices and taking action against wage theft.
As the immigration landscape continues to shift unpredictably, many are left grappling with substantial concerns regarding their rights and simply the ability to travel to America without fear of arbitrary detention.
In light of these multiple invasions of freedom and the violation of trust among nations, it is clear that more dialogue is necessary to restore faith and security at borders.
