German Tourists Deported for Lack of Hotel Booking

Two German teenagers, Maria Lepère and Charlotte Pohl, were recently deported from the United States after arriving in Hawaii without a hotel reservation, highlighting the stringency of the current U.S. immigration policies.

The two recent high school graduates from Rostock, Germany, were on a world tour with plans to visit numerous countries. Their journey took an unexpected turn when they arrived in Hawaii without pre-booked accommodations. Despite having valid travel authorizations through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), the lack of hotel reservations raised suspicion of potential unauthorized work intentions, leading to their detention.

Lepère and Pohl arrived in Honolulu on March 18, planning to spend five weeks exploring the islands before heading to California and then Costa Rica. However, they had not booked accommodations for their entire stay in Hawaii, which triggered concerns for Customs and Border Protection. After being subjected to questioning, body scans, and alleged strip searches, they were placed in a holding cell alongside long-term detainees. The following morning, they were informed about their impending deportation.

The incident is part of a growing trend of European tourists being detained under the Trump administration, with multiple reports of similar cases. Consequently, Germany has issued travel advisories warning its citizens about the possible threat of deportation.

Contrary to the girls’ claim, CBP Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs, Hilton Beckham, stated that the travelers were denied entry for attempting to enter the U.S. under false pretenses. He maintained that both had claimed to be touring California, but later admitted they intended to work, which is strictly prohibited under U.S. immigration laws.

In the wake of these incidents, the German Foreign Office may engage in diplomatic discussions with U.S. counterparts to address the treatment of German nationals. Travelers are advised to meticulously plan their trips, including securing accommodations in advance, to mitigate the risk of detention or deportation.

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