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More and more European countries are issuing travel warnings for the US

More and more European countries are issuing travel warnings for the US

A growing number of European countries and traditional American allies have this week issued warnings for their citizens to be cautious when traveling to the United States.

Among these countries are Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Finland. Although none of these countries has officially advised against travel to the United States, their warnings indicate a growing concern about America's immigration policy and the uncertainty over entry into the country, even for those with regular documents, writes newsweek.

Several incidents have been reported at the US border in recent weeks. For example, according to The Guardian, a French scientist was denied entry to the US even though he was on his way to an official meeting at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). Immigration officials searched his phone and found messages critical of US President Donald Trump.


What is behind these bans?

In addition, British citizen Becky Burke was deported from the US earlier this month after spending 19 days in US custody. Burke thought she had met all the requirements to enter the country, but US authorities detained her anyway and then deported her.

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Due to such cases, the UK has updated its guidelines, warning citizens that they could be detained or deported if they violate any of the entry rules.

"You must comply with all entry, visa and other regulations. The US authorities strictly enforce these conditions and you may be arrested or detained if you breach them," the British Foreign Office announced.

Countries that have issued travel warnings to the US 

Germany has also updated its guidelines after several German citizens were stopped by US border officials. The German Foreign Ministry warned that neither a valid visa nor an ESTA permit guarantees entry to the US, stressing that US border officials have full discretion.

The new Trump administration's policy seems determined to restrict immigration to the smallest extent possible, not hesitating to ban people based on political beliefs, nationality or sexual orientation. Trump's team also claims that many tourists abuse tourist visas to stay and work illegally in the US, reinforcing his tough stance on immigrants and immigration policy.

Special warning for transgender people

Yesterday, Denmark joined other allies in updating its travel guidelines for the US, with a particular focus on issues for transgender people. The update came after LGBT+ Denmark sought clarification on changes in US policy under the Trump administration.

US visa forms now require travelers to choose only between the gender “male” or “female,” without the “X” option that exists on some passports. Danish authorities have advised transgender people to contact the US embassy before traveling.

Finland has also urged its citizens to be especially careful, stressing that a valid visa or ESTA permit does not automatically guarantee entry to the US.

"You can only imagine how they treat foreigners"

Susanne Branner Jespersen from the organization LGBT+ Denmark told Danish radio station Radio 4, "we are concerned that people may be stopped at the airport, denied entry or experience unpleasant and humiliating situations."

Paul Statham, professor of migration studies at the University of Sussex, told Newsweek that "for most people (especially wealthy white people), this probably won't have a big impact on their decision to travel. But groups who feel threatened by Trump's rhetoric and policies — particularly transgender people — may feel unsafe."

Alex Nowrasteh from the CATO Institute was even more direct: "It's hard to say how much these warnings will affect tourism, but they certainly won't help. US customs officials are known for their rude and arrogant behavior. I'm an American citizen and I've been treated badly at the border too. You can only imagine how they treat foreigners."

Meanwhile, the Lincoln Project, which has over 2.8 million followers on the social network X, stated that "our allies are now warning their citizens that travel to the US could mean the risk of unlawful arrest. This administration is constantly embarrassing us."

At the moment, it is not clear whether these warnings will affect the number of trips between the US and Europe or whether there will be an official reaction from US authorities. /Telegraph/