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Topics: US News, World News, Politics, Donald Trump
Lucy Devine
European countries have issued a new warning for people planning on travelling to the US.
Following the introduction of tighter immigration laws under the Trump administration, a number of nations across the EU have been updating their citizens on what kind of measures they should be taking before entering the US, and the consequences of not doing so.
The UK, for example, has updated its advice this week, telling citizens they must 'comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry'.
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“The authorities in the US. set and enforce entry rules strictly,” said the foreign office.
“You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.”
Prior to this, Reuters reported that guidance simply stated that the US 'set and enforce entry rules'.
Meanwhile, Germany has also updated its advice this week, after investigating three cases in which German citizens were denied entry and put into detention.
In updated advice, Germany has said that entry into the US via Electronic System for Travel Authorization or a US visa did not guarantee entry.
"The final decision on whether a person can enter the U.S. lies with the U.S. border authorities," said a spokesperson for Germany's foreign ministry.
"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.
"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."
Since being sworn in as the 47th president of the US, Trump and his administration have compiled a list of 43 countries that could see restrictions.
The countries listed in three separate groups and their restrictions vary between each.
A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity said that there could come changes in the list and reiterated that the list has not yet been approved by the administration, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Those on the ‘all travel banned’ list would be set for a full visa suspension.
Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan.
For those on the second group, they can expect partial suspensions that would impact tourist and student visas as well as other immigrant visas however there could be some exceptions.
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe.
The third group would be considered for a partial suspension of US visa issuance if their governments ‘do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days’ according to the memo.