Two young tourists were deported from the US after authorities found they lacked proper travel plans and sufficient preparation for entry.
Two German teenagers were recently deported from the United States after being accused of not planning their trip properly.
This incident emphasizes a growing concern for young travelers at the US border.
Two young tourists deported from the US for not planning their trip properly
Charlotte Pohl, 19, and Maria Lepere, 18, arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, after traveling from New Zealand.
They had dreams of exploring Hawaii and then moving on to California and Costa Rica.
Both girls had obtained the necessary Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) visa before their trip.
However, their adventure quickly turned into a nightmare.
The teenagers had not fully booked accommodations for their entire stay, which raised suspicions among border officials.
They were questioned about their travel plans and accused of possibly intending to work illegally in the country.
The two tourists detained at the airport
Upon arrival, Pohl and Lepere faced serious scrutiny from US Customs and Border Protection.
According to Pohl, the officials found it “suspicious” that they did not have all their accommodations booked for the five weeks they planned to stay in Hawaii.
“They found it suspicious that we hadn’t fully booked our accommodations for the entire five weeks in Hawaii.” Pohl told the news outlet.
As a result, the young women were detained. They were placed in handcuffss and taken to a detention center, where they experienced a series of distressing events.
Reports indicate they underwent strip searches and full body scans and were held overnight in a cell.
The conditions in the detention center were alarming.
The girls described sleeping on “mouldy” mattresses and being warned against eating “expired” food.
This experience was not only uncomfortable but also humiliating and frightening for them.
They later shared their story on social media, warning others of the possible dangers facing travelers without detailed plans.
The following morning, Pohl and Lepere were deported back to Japan upon request.
This unexpected turn of events shattered their travel plans and left them feeling anxious and scared.
The German foreign office was informed of their situation and provided consular support during the ordeal.
Official guidance for travelers
The German foreign office has since issued guidance emphasizing that having an ESTA visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.
This warning follows similar incidents involving other German nationals who faced detention and entry denial at the border.
Travelers from the UK have also faced similar challenges.
A British tourist, Becky Burke, was detained in Washington State after being denied entry into Canada.
She spent 19 days in a detention center before being sent back to the UK.
These incidents have raised alarm among foreign nationals planning to visit the US.
Social media reactions
One user said: I seldom book more than a couple of nights accommodation no matter where I go. I’m dreading going to USA later this year.
The second user wrote: Another good reason to not visit America
The third user added: As if it’s not required to have accommodation arranged for most countries when you enter. Even Thailand requires this.
The fourth user commented: That’s shocking!!
To be honest, if they don’t want tourism nor to sell/export goods and assets to the world, let them sit there in their own fentanyl asylum.
Another user said: Don’t travel there until the old man in the White House goes
Someone added: lets face it, America does not want or need tourists, better to go anywhere else in the world