Americans shying away from travel to the United States due to apprehension over potential harassment or incarceration.
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US-GERMANY TRAVEL RELATIONS TAKEN ABEYANCE: A German's Eye-opening Experience of American Detention
BERLIN - In the heart of winter, a Berlin tattoo artist, Jessica Lia Brösche, sought sunshine in Mexico. She planned to visit a friend in Los Angeles, but her dream trip turned into a harrowing experience.
Detained, interrogated, and held for six weeks at a U.S. immigration detention center before being sent back to Germany, Brösche's ordeal has sparked concern among German travelers, causing a ripple effect across tourism circles.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement caught Brösche at a border checkpoint in San Diego on Jan. 26, six days after President Trump's inauguration. Brösche, a 29-year-old woman, was held at the Otay Mesa detention center, far from the warmth she left behind in search of a brief respite.
Describing the experience, Brösche cited unsavory comparisons, "They treat you at the border like you're a criminal." The German embassy remained silent on the matter. A brief email statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, however, cited, "if statutes or visa terms are violated, travelers may be subject to detention and removal."
The story of Brösche's detainment has made headlines in Germany, causing a stir among citizens who usually flock towards the United States as one of their top overseas vacation destinations. As the world's fourth most active traveler nation, the German travel industry now faces a potential hit due to increased uncertainty and mounting fears.
Business
'STRANGE TIMES AT THE BORDER': Immigrant Crackdown Dampening California Tourism
As European travelers reconsider their plans for vacation, state and local tourism officials in California are growing concerned about the adverse impact on travel to Los Angeles and the state.
Since Trump's presidency, reports of visa cancellations and arrests of foreign travelers have been on the rise. Data from the International Trade Administration reveals that the number of German visitors to the United States dropped by 28% in March compared to March 2024. The decline has raised a red flag for the area's economy, particularly California, a major destination for German tourists.
The travel industry isn't the only sector affected. The conflict in travel policies continues to cause a ripple effect, reaching as far as the tourism sector's pricing. Seats on mid-summer round-trip flights from Berlin to Los Angeles can now be found for as little as $500, a significant drop from earlier prices.
California
For Subscribers ### THE COOLING HILL OF PALM SPRINGS: Canadians abandoning the cali-soaked haven due to Trump's policies
Following the decline in German travelers to the United States, Palm Springs, a popular hotspot for snowbirds from neighboring Canada, is bracing for an economic hit.
Brösche's experience, however, primarily represents a wave of fear among German travelers rather than a political backlash.
Reports of alleged mistreatment and detainment of Germans entering the U.S. have been circulating in the German press. Fabian Schmidt, a German electrical engineer with a green card, was detained for two months upon his return from Germany on March 7. Astrid Senior, Schmidt's mother, alleged that her son underwent deplorable conditions, as he was deprived of food, water, and sleep while in detention.
The situation has incited public outcry and fear among German travelers. Many resort-goers are staying away, favoring alternative destinations. Udo Grelzik, a solar power entrepreneur, has opted for a Canadian vacation instead of the United States this year, citing fear of detainment at the border.
'BORDER HELL': Customs and Border Protection criticized for suspected maltreatment of German tourists
The detention of Jessica Lia Brösche is far from an isolated incident, as other instances of German tourists being subjected to intensive questioning and detention have been reported. With many Germans rethinking traveling to the United States, the customs and border control system has been queried for its tactics and handling of foreign travelers.
If you're a frequent traveler from Germany looking to explore the United States, be sure to familiarize yourself with entry requirements and guidelines to minimize the chances of any mishaps en route.
Stay, follow, and enjoy, because life's too short to miss out on a trip 🏝️ across the sea
- The distressing account of Jessica Lia Brösche's detainment at a US immigration center has raised concerns among German citizens, potentially impacting the US-Germany travel relations.
- Brösche, a tattoo artist from Berlin, was held for six weeks at the Otay Mesa detention center in San Diego, sparking unease among German travelers and causing a ripple effect across tourism circles.
- The German embassy has remained silent on the matter, while the Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated that travelers may face detention and removal if they violate visa terms or statutes.
- The US-Germany travel relations have taken a backseat, as the world's fourth most active traveler nation now faces potential economic consequences due to increased anxiety and apprehension.
- The California tourism industry is concerned about the adverse impact on travel to Los Angeles and the state due to a rise in visa cancellations and arrests of foreign travelers since Trump's presidency.
- Data from the International Trade Administration indicates a 28% drop in German visitors to the United States in March compared to March 2024, raising concerns for the area's economy, particularly California.
- Seats on mid-summer round-trip flights from Berlin to Los Angeles are now available for as little as $500, reflecting the drop in demand due to the immigration crackdown and mounting fears.
- The detainment of Brösche and other German tourists, and allegations of mistreatment at the US border, have prompted public outcry and resulted in many German travelers reconsidering their plans to visit the United States.
