Germany tightens travel advice to US after three citizens detained

Germany's Foreign Ministry has revised its travel guidance for citizens visiting the US after three German nationals were denied entry and detained upon arrival.

The ministry’s website now explicitly lists conditions that can lead to an arrest upon arrival or deportation from the US, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

“A criminal conviction in the United States, providing false information about the purpose of stay, or even a minor visa overstay upon entry or exit can result in arrest, detention, and deportation”, the statement reads.

The new guidance also emphasizes that holding an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) document—used to determine eligibility for visa-free travel to the US—does not guarantee entry.

“The final decision on whether a person can enter the United States rests with American border authorities. But this is no surprise; the same applies in Germany,” a ministry spokesperson told Der Spiegel.

The foreign ministry also clarified that the changes do not amount to an official travel warning for the US.

The update follows an announcement by the ministry on Monday that it was investigating the case of three German citizens who were denied entry and placed in detention at the US border.

By Nazrin Sadigova