Following reports of German citizens being detained at U.S. borders despite possessing visas or ESTA authorization, Germany’s Foreign Ministry updated its travel advisory. The ministry clarified that neither a visa nor ESTA guarantees U.S. entry, emphasizing that border officials make the final determination. This advisory, while not a formal travel warning, advises German citizens to carry return travel documentation and contact the Department of Homeland Security if denied entry. The U.S. Department of State confirmed that entry is determined by border officials and that visa issuance aligns with Executive Order 14168.
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Germany’s recent update to its US travel advice follows the detention of three German citizens at US borders, raising serious concerns about the current state of US immigration enforcement. These detentions, seemingly arbitrary and disproportionate to the alleged offenses, highlight a worrying trend of increased scrutiny by US border authorities, even for individuals with legal standing or minor past infractions.
The case of Fabian Schmidt, a legal US resident since 2008, illustrates this point perfectly. His detention stemmed from a dismissed 2015 misdemeanor marijuana charge, a seemingly minor offense rendered irrelevant by subsequent changes in California’s marijuana laws. This incident underscores a disturbing pattern of using outdated or inconsequential charges as justification for detention, regardless of their current legal standing.… Continue reading
Following the recent detention of three German citizens—a Green Card holder and two tourists—at US borders, German officials are investigating whether these incidents represent a shift in US immigration policy or are isolated events. Two tourists were deported after brief detentions, while the Green Card holder remains in custody. The German Foreign Ministry is actively monitoring the situation and will adjust travel advisories accordingly, pending a full assessment. The detentions coincide with stricter US immigration policies and raise concerns about potential broader changes in border control practices.
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Germany issued a travel advisory warning transgender and nonbinary citizens about potential U.S. entry issues stemming from President Trump’s executive order prohibiting “X” gender markers on passports. The advisory urges those with differing gender markers or entries to contact U.S. diplomatic missions beforehand. This follows Trump’s ban on transgender women in female sports and Secretary Rubio’s directive to deny visas to those suspected of misrepresenting their sex, potentially resulting in permanent bans. A lawsuit against the passport directive is currently underway.
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Germany has advised its transgender and nonbinary citizens to contact U.S. authorities before traveling to the United States due to new policies restricting legal gender recognition. These policies, stemming from a Trump administration executive order, mandate that all government documents reflect sex assigned at birth and allow consular officers broad discretion in visa approvals. The State Department defends these changes, stating that applicants must establish their identity and purpose of travel. Conversely, Germany recently enacted a Self-Determination Act simplifying legal gender changes for its citizens.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood