The United Kingdom has become the latest country to update its travel advice for the United States to include a warning about the possibility of arrest for anyone breaching US immigration rules. The change in official guidance comes as a number of European countries are reassessing the impact of US entry policies on their citizens.
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office changed its guidance for the US on 14 March 2025, editing the “Entry requirements” section to warn UK citizens to “comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.” The inclusion of the word “strictly” and the reference to custodial imprisonment are new.
Support for British nationals abroad:
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) March 18, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/pNGVMpbHlT
The new British travel advisory coincides with a similar German government briefing following the detention of at least three German citizens who had been trying to enter the US, one of whom was reported to be a long-term resident in the US in possession of green card permission to stay there. The Germans complained of aggressive treatment by law enforcement, a lack of food and no explanation for their arrests.
Although the French have no official US travel warning in place, French education minister Phillipe Baptiste has also denounced US immigration policy after a French scientist was prevented from entering the United States for attendance at an academic conference in Houston. He was deported due to text messages on his phone that criticised the Trump administration’s attitude to academic research.
U.S. visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued. We continuously check visa holders to ensure they follow all U.S. laws and immigration rules – and we will revoke their visas and deport them if they don’t. pic.twitter.com/aZsnUTnXGP
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 17, 2025
UK press have also reported on the case of 28-year-old Rebecca Burke, an artist from Wales who had been vacationing for two months, travelling around North America, when she was arrested trying to cross the border between Canada and the US. The problem? Her accommodation arrangements that involved running chores for families that hosted her. The exchange of services was considered “work” not a holiday by US officials and Burke was detained at the border. She was held in a “cold” facility that was described as “close to capacity”, forced to wear an orange jumpsuit, and finally flown in chains back to the UK after what should have been the trip of a lifetime ended in a nearly three-week prison ordeal.
Since his January inauguration, President Donald Trump has signed a number of executive orders on the topic of border control and immigration, asking officials to identify nations where vetting is considered “deficient” ahead of a travel ban that is expected to affect citizens of a number of countries. Undocumented migrants in the US are a particular focus. Along the Arizona – Mexico border and elsewhere, there have been reports of vigilante groups filming migrants, pointing weapons at them, and attempting to assist border authorities with roundups.
