What to know about travel bans and who they could affect
Immigration law allows presidents to restrict travel into the U.S., but President Donald Trump’s bans have been more sweeping than past presidents.
- The United Kingdom and Germany have updated travel advisories to warn citizens that a visa or ESTA authorization does not guarantee entry into the U.S.
- The warnings follow reports of European travelers being detained or denied entry at U.S. borders, despite holding valid travel documents.
As the U.S. tightens immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, both the United Kingdom and Germany have updated their travel advisories to warn citizens that holding a valid visa or ESTA authorization does not guarantee entry into the country.
The updated guidance follows a series of detainments involving European travelers who were denied entry at U.S. borders – some even arrested or held in detention before being sent home. Among the incidents, two German nationals were stopped at the southern border earlier this week.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said it is investigating one of the cases and has involved its consulate in Boston to assist one of the individuals still affected.
“The final decision on whether a person can enter the U.S. lies with the U.S. border authorities,” a spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Office said. The advisory stressed that false information, past criminal records, or even minor overstays on previous trips could lead to arrest, deportation, or detention – with no legal recourse.
Britain issued a similar warning. In its revised travel advice, the U.K. Foreign Office now cautions: “You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.”
The warnings come amid growing concern in Europe over Trump’s executive orders focusing on stricter visa screening, border enforcement, and immigration crackdowns. A Canadian woman and a British artist have also reported being detained recently, drawing further attention to the U.S.’s increasingly rigid stance at ports of entry.
Story continues below.
Despite having valid travel documents, travelers are being reminded that border agents have the final say – and being turned away is a real possibility.
Germany’s Foreign Office advises travelers to carry documentation showing their return plans and to be prepared for questioning at the border. Travelers who encounter issues are urged to contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security upon their return.
USA TODAY reached out to the State Department for comment.
Denmark, Finland issue advisory for transgender travelers to the US
Concerns are also expanding beyond border protocols. Newsweek first reported that Denmark and Finland have also revised their travel advisories – specifically for transgender and nonbinary travelers.
Citing the U.S. government’s refusal to recognize gender markers beyond male or female, both countries warn that travelers with an “X” gender marker or a mismatch between passport gender and birth sex may be denied entry. The shift follows Trump’s executive orders rolling back rights for transgender and nonbinary people.
These changes are also resonating with U.S.-based LGBTQ+ communities, where many trans and nonbinary travelers say they now feel “stuck” in the U.S., fearing mistreatment or denial of reentry if they travel abroad. Advocacy groups are urging clearer guidance from the U.S. government amid a growing sense of uncertainty for marginalized travelers.
Whether these warnings will impact tourism or prompt a shift in U.S. policy remains to be seen.
Contributing: Reuters
