Sun Mar 23 05:00:00 UTC 2025: ## US Border Crackdown: Tourists from Allied Nations Detained for Weeks
**San Diego, CA** – A surge in reports of tourists from traditionally allied nations being detained at US borders is raising concerns about increasingly stringent immigration policies. Recent cases highlight the experiences of several travelers from Germany, Canada, and the UK who were held for extended periods in US detention centers, despite possessing valid travel authorization.
One such case involves Lennon Tyler, a US citizen, and her German fiancé, Lucas Sielaff. Returning from a brief trip to Tijuana, the couple were detained. Sielaff was accused of violating his 90-day tourist permit, despite having not yet exceeded the allotted time, and held for 16 days before being deported at his own expense. Tyler was handcuffed and chained while her fiancé was processed.
Similar incidents include a German tourist, Jessica Brösche, held for 45 days, including a period in solitary confinement; a Welsh backpacker detained for nearly three weeks at a US-Canada border crossing; and a Canadian woman on a work visa, held for 12 days at the Tijuana crossing.
Pedro Rios, director of the American Friends Service Committee’s US-Mexico border program, stated that in his 22 years of border work, he has never witnessed such treatment of travelers from Western Europe and Canada. He attributes the incidents to a “more fervent anti-immigrant atmosphere.”
US authorities have not publicly explained the rationale behind the detentions, nor provided data on the number of tourists recently held. While tourists from countries requiring US visas often face entry challenges, these recent cases involve citizens from countries with visa-waiver programs. Even with pre-approved travel authorization, US authorities retain wide discretion to deny entry.
In response, Britain and Germany updated their travel advisories, warning citizens of potential arrest or detention for rule infractions. The University of California, Los Angeles, issued a warning to foreign students and staff regarding potential travel risks during spring break.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that the detained individuals were deemed “inadmissible” by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), citing potential violations of statutes or visa terms. However, both agencies declined further comment.
The incidents fuel anxieties, particularly as the Trump administration prepares for further travel restrictions. Sielaff and Tyler are considering legal action, and the experiences of other affected tourists underscore the growing uncertainty surrounding US border policies.
First Piper 