Germany has updated its travel advisory for the United States to clarify that a visa or entry waiver does not guarantee entry for its citizens, following recent incidents in which several Germans were detained at the border. The foreign ministry's advisory emphasizes that approval through the U.S. ESTA system or possession of a U.S. visa does not automatically ensure entry.
The final decision regarding entry into the U.S. is made by U.S. border authorities. However, the ministry has indicated that this update does not serve as a travel warning.
Since January 20, President Donald Trump has focused on stricter border policies, tighter visa vetting procedures, and a crackdown on undocumented migrants in the U.S. The German foreign ministry has been monitoring potential changes in U.S. immigration policy after three nationals were detained.
Two of these cases have been resolved, with the individuals returning to Germany, while assistance from the consulate general in Boston is being provided for the remaining case.
According to Boston-based public broadcaster WGBH, a German man with a green card residency permit was detained by immigration authorities this month at Boston airport and is currently being held in a detention facility. The German foreign ministry has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the man's current status.