this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2025
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Summary

Welsh tourist Becky Burke was detained for 19 days in a US immigration facility and transported in chains like "Hannibal Lecter" after alleged visa violations.

Burke had been backpacking and staying with host families in exchange for help around the house, which authorities suspected breached her tourist visa conditions.

Deported on March 18, she described the ordeal as traumatizing. Her parents criticized the harsh treatment and are considering addressing the issue politically.

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[–] Yerbouti@sh.itjust.works 238 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Traveling to a fascist country might be challenging, I personnaly wouldn't take the chance.

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 24 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Or, at least, only go with organized tours and a local guide. As long as you don't steal any propaganda posters, you should survive.

[–] gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world 36 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Anyone willing to encourage tourism to America by being such a guide would probably take your money and then find a reason to get you arrested by ICE anyway. Not like you could take it up with a consumer protection agency now.

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[–] HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works 205 points 1 week ago (3 children)

A US customs spokesman previously said they could not discuss specific cases but that travellers were treated with "integrity, respect and according to law".

Bullshit. Too many stories are coming out that prove that's a lie.

Fuck America and fuck Trump.

[–] zqps@sh.itjust.works 81 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Trump's tenure really exposes how many people work in various law enforcement functions apparently just for the privilege to humiliate and hurt people.

[–] bampop@lemmy.world 34 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

At all levels too. I mean, why the 24 hours a day fluorescent lights so you don't know night from day? How does that help? Hell, how does it even make more money? Even with senior management, the cruelty is the point.

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[–] But_my_mom_says_im_cool@lemmy.world 32 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The “according to the law” line gets me, the laws are inhumane, you’re not a good person because you enforce nazi laws

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[–] AugustWest@lemm.ee 147 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Another reminder: these, and all the detention facilities are privately owned and for profit. The motivation is to have a full house to maximize profits.

[–] CalipherJones@lemmy.world 41 points 1 week ago

Just more systems put in place to worship the American God: money.

No crime is too great as long as the parasites at the top are taking more and more and more of our wealth and prosperity from us.

[–] obinice@lemmy.world 107 points 1 week ago (2 children)

They don't want foreigners in that country any more, and are willing to treat them badly to get their message across.

Don't end up in one of their detainment concentration camps, you never know when you'll be allowed to leave, the way they keep suddenly changing how they do things - for the worse - every few weeks, it could be never.

Don't go to that country. It's too dangerous.

[–] Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 23 points 1 week ago (4 children)

Our government certainly doesn't want foreigners here, but the people remain welcoming.

I lived in San Diego, CA for the entirety of Trump's first term. He kept making it sound like criminals were flooding in there, and harming us. The narrative was that we were victims, and he was some sort of hero.

The reality was we love our Mexican neighbors... And we fucking hate that asshole for lying and demonizing our friends, colleagues, and family members.

This all said, it is not safe here any longer for us in the long term, or foreigners in the short term. He has lost his damn mind, literally, and his followers are brainwashed. America is unsafe, and unstable.

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[–] Eril@feddit.org 13 points 1 week ago

Also they might just deport you to some concentration camp in El Salvador for having the wrong tattoo and who knows if you can get out of there ever again. I wouldn't trust anyone saying "they would never do that to tourists" at this point.

Well, you won't see me entering the US anytime soon.

[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 102 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Why are we not seeing more travel advisories? I know of a few but if this was any other nation you would have advisories from almost everyone by now.

[–] quack@lemmy.zip 48 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It’s happening, slowly but surely. UK issued one today.

[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 38 points 1 week ago (2 children)
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[–] Freshparsnip@lemm.ee 92 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

Anybody who still travels to the Untied States at this point is a fool

[–] aphonefriend@lemmy.dbzer0.com 30 points 1 week ago

So long as Magats remain in charge, traveling to the US is now like traveling to China. You'll probably see some pretty cool things but also have an above 0% chance for a life traumatizing event.

[–] Tungsten5@lemm.ee 27 points 1 week ago

After reading some of these stories I would not visit the US right now. Id stay home and stay safe

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[–] peetabix@sh.itjust.works 82 points 1 week ago (10 children)

Me (British) and my American gf are planning to visit her friends and family over the summer in Navada, Washington and New Mexico. Not so sure i want to go anymore.

[–] Bongo_Stryker@lemmy.ca 45 points 1 week ago
[–] Botanicals@lemmy.world 41 points 1 week ago

100% trust your gut. It's not a good idea.

[–] specterspectre@lemmy.world 39 points 1 week ago

Don't. I used to hike around the southern states for fun. Currently residing in one. The border patrol goons are just headhunting to fill quotas now. Anybody is game. I myself am planning my move out of country right now. Even the magats are not safe and are willing to sacrifice themselves for their hateful ideals.

[–] SeaRobin@reddthat.com 38 points 1 week ago (1 children)

At this point I would recommend against any non-US national from traveling to the US.

[–] zer0squar3d@lemmy.dbzer0.com 23 points 1 week ago (2 children)

And i would recommend anyone from the US, already traveling outside, and not 100% bleach white, to increase your vacation time for a few years and not come back if possible as you will probably be detained even with a legit passport and documentation. Maybe seek asylum.

[–] amon@lemmy.world 20 points 1 week ago

not 100% bleach white

More like any from:

  • Not 100% bleach white
  • Not 4 generations American
  • Not a MAGA
  • LGBTQ+
  • Related to any anti-MAGAs
  • Is pro-Palestinian or pro-Ukraine
  • Has any part of their identity that can be used as an excuse to deport

Basically everyone other than Trump and the core MAGAs

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[–] But_my_mom_says_im_cool@lemmy.world 19 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I’m Latino Canadian so I’m not going anywhere near the u.s, fuck that.

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[–] fluffykittycat@slrpnk.net 18 points 1 week ago

It's not safe here

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 16 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Call ICE hotline, explain that her friends and family are all illegal aliens, then you can all meet at the ICE detention centre - no planning stress!

[–] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 14 points 1 week ago (9 children)

If either one of you is even the slightest bit tanned, not that I find that likely in Britain, but I digress, neither one of you should even consider coming to this hateful place for the next four years at least.

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[–] BlackSheep@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Geezus. I’m right next door (Canadian), and I wouldn’t even consider going there. They’re going to start using ANY excuse to detain people. In December 2018, Canadian nationals Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were taken into custody in China. It appeared that their detention on December 10 and subsequent indictment under the state secrets law were linked to the arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada on December 1. In English-language media, the pair are frequently and colloquially referred to as the Two Michaels. Wikipedia. EDIT: I spent 35 years crossing the border camping, shopping, and feeling like I was with trusted neighbours. Really sad...

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[–] febra@lemmy.world 66 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Such an inhumane country. Keeping people in shackles like cattle. Hell, not even cattle gets treated like that.

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[–] fibojoly@sh.itjust.works 44 points 1 week ago (2 children)

They probably freaked out when she started speaking Welsh. Understandable.

[–] Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io 20 points 1 week ago

Frankly, it's an upper class/ lower class situation. Welsh people, historically just couldn't afford vowels. ;-)

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[–] robbinhood@lemmy.world 39 points 1 week ago (5 children)

Can't wait until the summer rolls around and the fascists start arresting kids for setting up lemonade stands and whatnot.

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[–] sommerset@thelemmy.club 28 points 1 week ago (1 children)

For some reason I'm confident this is not the first time this happened. But now it's covered by European sources so news leak out to the public.

[–] Phoenicianpirate@lemm.ee 13 points 1 week ago

It happened to a well known Canadian actress (she is well known for her role in the American pie films). She was detained for months over what would have been a tiny paperwork error just a few years ago. She said that the women she was imprisoned also had no criminal record but were treated like murderers.

[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 25 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

They did this to a white person?!?!?! That's news!

smh

[–] gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world 24 points 1 week ago

They are absolutely desperate to fill their quotas, they're selfish cowards who know how quickly their Dear Leader will throw them under the bus if they don't

[–] Magister@lemmy.world 20 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Why was she refused entry to Canada?

[–] ansiz@lemmy.world 77 points 1 week ago (3 children)

This is a better article but basically she was 'working' in the US by exchanging help around the house for a place to stay. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80y3yx1jdyo

Apparently the Canadians were concerned she'd work while in Canada? This kind of housework for accommodation is super common in the backpacking, hostel, hitchhiking kind of space. It's ridiculous to treat tourists like this because of simply doing a little house work.

Another example with hikers going along the AT or PCT will frequently do housework like activities to payback hostels or shuttle drivers.

[–] BossDj@lemm.ee 36 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I guess the lesson learned is just always flat out say recreation. Not working at all. She was too honest

[–] NABDad@lemmy.world 15 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Some people enjoy housework.

Just explain that you indulge in some hobbies during your downtime while on vacation.

I like to read when I get back to the hotel on vacation. Others might like to do some light carpentry or landscaping.

[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

They did the same to an artist. Just say recreation if that's your intent.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 20 points 1 week ago

Oh sure, it's all wink-wink-nod when it's a white person, but soon enough you know who'll be "backpacking" around? Brown people!. that's right.

I'm sorry to scare you so, but this is very important in today's fascist putsching.

[–] scytale@lemm.ee 10 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Most countries are pretty strict with what you are and aren't allowed to do while on a tourist visa. For example, tourists are generally not allowed to work or earn income while visiting, you need a work visa for that. Now I'm not 100% versed on how work is defined in this case, but they must have interpreted her chores-for-accommodation setup as work. Not excusing what they did to her, just providing context on the restrictions of tourist visas. I'm sure a lot of people have been doing this for a while, and the current immigration climate is likely why they're just flagging it now.

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