Border Patrol agents have the final say, the German Foreign Office said in an update on its website.
Germany this week updated its travel advice to citizens traveling to the United States, advising that U.S. officials are enforcing stricter immigration rules at the border.
People who enter through an electronic travel authorization program or via a U.S. visa cannot be guaranteed entry to the United States each time because Border Patrol agents have the final say, the German Foreign Office said in an update on its website.
A valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization or a valid U.S. visa “constitutes a right to entry into the USA,” Germany’s Foreign Office said in a statement, according to an English translation. However, “the final decision regarding entry is made by the U.S. border official,” the office
clarified in an updated advisory on Wednesday.
German nationals entering the United States are recommended to also “bring proof of your return journey ( e.g., flight booking) upon entry,” the ministry also said. “There is no legal recourse against this decision. German diplomatic missions abroad are unable to influence the reversal of a denial of entry.”
The office said that a criminal conviction in the United States, a slight visa overstay, or providing false information about the purpose of stay can lead to deportation, arrest, or detention.
“Any further questions concerning entry into the USA should be clarified with the relevant U.S. diplomatic mission abroad well in advance of departure,” the office said.
The UK also recently updated a webpage that provided further advice to its citizens traveling to the United States.
While the UK webpage did not include a date, archived versions of the site show that it was recently changed. Archived
versions of the page included text that said, “The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK.”
But that was
changed on March 15 to say: “You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK.”
The statements come weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders and issued directives meant to bolster border security, namely at the U.S.–Mexico border. Early on, he
declared that there is an invasion occurring at the southern border and suspended would-be illegal immigrants or people seeking asylum from entering the U.S. southern border until further notice.
Another executive order
signed by Trump imposed more restrictions on individuals who would immigrate into the United States illegally or who would seek asylum, as well as restarting construction of a wall along the southern border.
Other orders he signed included limiting birthright citizenship, declaring Mexican cartels and two transnational gangs as foreign terrorist organizations, and invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to speed up deportations of alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Both the birthright citizenship order and Alien Enemies Act deportations have been blocked by judges.
