10
Loading video...
By Jordan King and Shane Croucher
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Germany has told its citizens that they are not guaranteed entry to the U.S. even if they have a visa or entry waiver.
The country's Foreign Ministry updated its travel advisory for America on Tuesday, after several Germans were detained at the border, Reuters reported.
Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security, via email, for comment.
Read More
Over 47K Sign Petition to Block Donald Trump from Entering Canada3 min read
Progressive Judges Hand Republicans Legal Victory on Non-Citizens Voting4 min read
Donald Trump Has an Unlikely Legal Path to a Third Term: What Experts Say5 min read
Why It Matters
Stricter border policies have been a hallmark of Donald Trump's administration since he took office, and was a major component of his campaign.
After three German nationals were detained earlier this week, Germany's Foreign Ministry said it was looking into whether there had been a change to U.S. immigration policy.
Two of the these cases have been resolved, with those affected returning to Germany, according to Reuters, but the third case was being handled with the consulate general in Boston involved.
What To Know
The ministry said that neither approval through the U.S. ESTA system nor a U.S. visa means people will be granted entry every time.
"The final decision on whether a person can enter the U.S. lies with the U.S. border authorities," a spokesperson for Germany's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
But they also stressed that this change does not count as an official travel warning.
The U.S. Department of State told *Newsweek: "*The majority of German nationals seek admission to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and obtain an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) prior to being granted boarding.
"We will only issue U.S. visas with a male or female sex marker that matches the applicant's biological sex as defined in E.O. 14168."
Generally, Germans are allowed to visit the U.S. with an ESTA or a valid visa.
"Entry and customs regulations for German citizens can change at short notice without prior notification to the Federal Foreign Office," the website says, "Therefore, please also check with the diplomatic missions of your destination country."
German citizens who "encounter problems upon entry" are told to contact the Department of Homeland Security, which runs a Traveler Redress Inquiry Program, when they return.
...
What People Are Saying
Germany's Foreign Ministry says on its website: "A criminal conviction in the United States, false information regarding the purpose of stay, or even a slight overstay of the visa upon entry or exit can lead to arrest, detention, and deportation upon entry or exit."
Its full advisory says: "Neither a valid ESTA authorization nor a valid U.S. visa constitutes a right to entry into the USA . The final decision regarding entry is made by the US border official. It is recommended that you bring proof of your return journey ( e.g., flight booking) upon entry. There is no legal recourse against this decision. German diplomatic missions abroad are unable to influence the reversal of a denial of entry."
A ministry spokesperson told the German newspaper Der Spiegel: "The final decision on whether a person can enter the United States rests with the American border authorities. But this is no surprise; it is the same in German."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether this advisory will have an impact on travel to the U.S. or how the U.S. will respond to it.
Update 3/20/25, 12:33 p.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from the U.S. Department of State.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines