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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[–] 238 points 2 years ago (3 children)

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

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  • [–] 24 points 2 years ago (2 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.

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  • [–] 206 points 2 years ago (13 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.

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  • [–] 82 points 2 years ago (9 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.

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  • [–] 34 points 2 years 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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    [–] 147 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    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.

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  • [–] 109 points 2 years ago (6 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.

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  • [–] 24 points 2 years 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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  • [–] 13 points 2 years 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.

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  • [–] 102 points 2 years ago (5 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.

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  • [–] 93 points 2 years ago* (3 children)

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

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    [–] 82 points 2 years ago (26 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.

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  • [–] 39 points 2 years 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.

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  • [–] 38 points 2 years ago (3 children)

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

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  • [–] 23 points 2 years 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.

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  • [–] 20 points 2 years 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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    [–] 66 points 2 years ago (1 child)

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

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    [–] 44 points 2 years ago (2 children)

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

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    [–] 39 points 2 years 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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    [–] 28 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    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.

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  • [–] 13 points 2 years 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.

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  • [–] 25 points 2 years ago* (1 child)

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

    smh

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  • [–] 20 points 2 years ago (9 children)

    Why was she refused entry to Canada?

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  • [–] 78 points 2 years ago (7 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.

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  • [–] 36 points 2 years ago (2 children)

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

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  • [–] 16 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    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.

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  • [–] 20 points 2 years 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.

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