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In a startling account that underscores the increasingly stringent immigration policies under the Trump administration, British national Karen Newton was detained for six weeks by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite holding a valid tourist visa. Her experience, which began during a holiday trip to the United States, raises significant questions about the treatment of international visitors and the broader implications for tourism amid a climate of fear and uncertainty.
A Dream Trip Turns into a Nightmare
Karen, 65, and her husband Bill, 66, embarked on what they hoped would be the trip of a lifetime in late July 2025. With an itinerary that included iconic destinations across California, Nevada, and Montana, they were eager to explore the great outdoors after a long absence from international travel. However, their adventure came to an abrupt halt on 26 September when they attempted to cross into Canada and were turned back due to a visa issue with Bill.
Unbeknownst to Karen, this detour would lead her into a harrowing experience with ICE, where she was handcuffed, shackled, and ultimately held for weeks in conditions she described as akin to a prison. “I don’t even have parking tickets in my background,” she stated, baffled by her detention. “I am not a dangerous criminal.”
The Alarming Reality of Immigration Enforcement
Once detained, Karen learned that ICE agents reportedly receive bonuses for each individual they detain, a practice that has raised eyebrows regarding the motivations behind the agency’s aggressive enforcement tactics. The Trump administration has significantly increased the budget and resources allocated to ICE, with annual funding surging from $6 billion a decade ago to approximately $85 billion today. New policies implemented shortly after Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025 mandated higher detention quotas, leading to a spike in stories of international tourists facing similar fates.
During her detention, Karen became aware of other tourists who had also been detained under questionable circumstances. The growing number of cases involving international visitors—ranging from German tourists to a New Zealand mother and her child—paints a concerning picture for those considering travel to the United States.
The Impact of Detention on Lives and Tourism
Karen’s ordeal lasted a total of 42 days, during which she became increasingly despondent. “It was scary. You have no way of knowing what’s going to happen,” she recalled. Her initial hope that her valid visa would ensure her swift release was dashed when she discovered that she was wrongfully held due to her husband’s expired visa.
The detention centre was a stark environment filled with guards and locked doors, a far cry from the holiday she had envisioned. During her time there, she met other detainees, many of whom shared their own heart-wrenching stories of separation from families and years spent building lives in the US. They, too, had been swept up in the ICE’s expansive dragnet, often for minor infractions or misunderstandings regarding their immigration status.
Post-Detention Reflections and Future Concerns
Upon her release in November 2025, Karen returned home to Hertfordshire only to confront the aftermath of her detention. The experience left her deeply shaken, with ongoing ramifications for her personal life, including financial implications from unpaid bills and the loss of personal belongings. “You only really appreciate your freedom when you’ve had it taken away,” she said, reflecting on the ordeal that had turned her life upside down.
With the US anticipating a surge in international visitors for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, Karen’s story serves as a cautionary tale. She warns potential tourists, “Don’t go – not with Trump in charge. It’s totally out of control over there.” Her fears extend to the safety of younger, more vulnerable travellers who may unwittingly find themselves caught in the same punitive web of immigration enforcement.
Why it Matters
Karen Newton’s experience sheds light on the broader implications of the US immigration policies currently in place, particularly for international visitors. As the country gears up for significant global events like the World Cup, the chilling effect of stringent immigration enforcement risks deterring tourists, leading to substantial economic repercussions for the US tourism sector. The narratives of individuals like Karen reveal systemic issues within ICE and question the ethics of a policy framework that prioritises detention over the fair treatment of visitors. As international travel resumes, the urgency for accountability and reform in immigration practices remains critical.