A German electrical engineer, a French scientist, a Canadian actress and British punk musicians all share a common experience: US border guards recently denied them entry even though they had valid documents. The travellers also endured harsh interrogations, detention pending deportation and searches of their electronic devices.
The case of German electrical engineer Fabian Schmidt [has attracted particular](https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/us-resident-violently-interrogated-on-way-home-from-luxembourg/49518825.html) attention. The 34-year-old has lived in the United States with a green card for 17 years, has a long-term partner and an eight-year-old daughter.
As he attempted to return from a visit to Luxembourg, border officials stopped him at Boston Airport and detained him. The exact reason for his detention remains unclear.
Schmidt’s attorney, David Keller, said his client was not given a reason. The German consulate in Boston is working to secure his release, which is also being pursued by a support group in his Rhode Island home.
#### Stricter travel advice
His mother mentioned that her son had run-ins with the law in the past for marijuana possession – a charge that was dropped after legalisation in California. In an interview with _WGBH_, she recounted her son’s “hours-long” interrogations. “They denied him sleep, food, water and medication,” she said.
Schmidt is one of four German citizens who have experienced the new arbitrary restrictions on entering the US since President Donald Trump issued a decree to “secure the borders”.
While Schmidt had travelled from the Grand Duchy, to date no Luxembourg nationals have contacted the foreign ministry to raise concerns about treatment at the US border, the ministry said in response to a query from the _Luxemburger Wort._
A specific travel warning for the US is “not currently being considered”, the foreign ministry said, but added that it recommends travellers to “inform themselves in advance about the applicable entry regulations for their destination country”. In the event of an emergency abroad, citizens can contact the ministry as well as Luxembourg’s diplomatic and consular missions.
Along with several other EU countries, Germany has updated its travel advice for the US due to the increasing number of reports of travellers being refused entry. “A criminal record in the USA, false information regarding the purpose of stay or even a slight overstay of the travel permit can lead to arrest, detention and deportation upon entry or exit,” a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry said.
The ministry points out that “an ESTA authorisation or a US visa does not always entitle you to enter the USA.”
Noor Zafar of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recommends that travellers take “additional precautions”, adding that “the decision is solely at the discretion of border officials”.
Particularly problematic is the search of electronic devices, which led to a travel ban in the case of a French scientist.
The researcher wanted to travel to a conference in Houston, Texas, at the beginning of March. France’s Research Minister Philippe Baptiste has accused the US of denying the scientist entry solely because of his critical comments about Trump’s research policy.
While US authorities deny that visitors’ unpopular opinions about Trump or his policies could lead to harassment and deportation, the members of the British punk band UK Subs suspect precisely this.
Instead of performing at a festival in Los Angeles, three musicians ended up in immigration detention. “I’m 67 years old now, and I’ve been kicked out of America – I’m kind of almost proud of it,” bassist Alvin Gibbs said on Facebook. “My relationship with the US is over for the foreseeable future.”
Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney likely feels the same way. The 35-year-old _American Pie_ star ended up in Arizona’s San Luis Regional Detention Center after being arrested at the San Ysidro border crossing in California. Thanks to massive efforts from family, friends and supporters, she is back in Canada.
The American tourism industry is already sounding alarm, revising its growth forecast from 5% to a decline of 9%.
Canadians, in particular, are no longer coming in the same numbers. Land arrivals have already declined by almost a quarter, and air travel by 13 percent.
_(This article was originally published by the [Luxemburger Wort.](https://www.wort.lu/international/einreise-gefaehrdet-warum-usa-urlaube-unkalkulierbar-werden/51183462.html) With additional reporting by Jan Kreller, and translation and editing by John Monaghan.)_