A BRITISH tourist’s dream trip has turned into a nightmare after a “visa mix-up” led to her being detained at the US border.
Becky Burke, 28, was detained ten days ago at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing centre in Washington state, according to her family.
Becky Burke, 28, was on her dream trip to America when she was detained[/caption]
Becky is being detained at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing centre in Washington state[/caption]
Becky trekking through a pine forest while travelling[/caption]
Becky’s dad, Paul Burke, said she tried to cross the border into Canada but was denied entry due to an “incorrect visa”.
But when she tried to return to the US she was refused re-entry and treated like an “illegal alien”.
Her dad said he could not understand why she was “locked up and she’s in an orange prison jumpsuit while the paperwork gets sorted out.”
Paul said: “What was meant to be a life-changing four-month backpacking trip across North America has turned into a nightmare.”
Becky now finds herself in “horrendous” conditions.
Her dad said: “She is sharing a cell, surviving on a diet of cold rice, potatoes, and beans (she is vegan), and has limited access to phone calls.
“Visitors are restricted to speaking through a glass screen via telephone.
“All her possessions have been confiscated, and she feels isolated and desperate to come home.”
Becky’s family is not American which means they cannot add money to her inmate account for her to buy essentials, so they have had to reach out to some American friends to help.
The comic book artist from Wales was on a four-month backpacking trip across North America.
Becky shared photos and comic sketches about her travels to her Instagram account.
She posted reels of herself ice-skating in Manhattan’s Central Park, running across a beach and trekking through a pine forest
While travelling she got free accommodation in exchange for helping host families “around the house”.
Becky had flown from New York to Portland, Oregon, where she spent time with a host family.
At the end of February she travelled to Seattle and had planned to travel to Vancouver in Canada to stay with another family.
But, when she reached the border, Paul said she was denied entry because of fears she may try to work illegally.
He said he thought this may be because authorities suspected her accommodation arrangements broke the terms of her tourist visa.
Becky’s family is desperate for her to come home and has requested voluntary departure but it has been “radio silence”.
The family has been told voluntary departure has to be approved by a judge, but said that they do not know “how to make that happen”.
A spokesperson for the FCDO said: “We are supporting a British national detained in the USA and are in contact with the local authorities.”
But they wouldn’t give any further update as to wider US detentions of UK tourists.
Paul said he wanted to warn other travellers to be “very careful” about visa requirements.
Becky’s detention comes in the wake of Trump’s immigration crack down.
Becky is a vegan comic book artist from Wales[/caption]
Becky’s family say she just wants to come home[/caption]
