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In a harrowing tale that highlights the growing tensions surrounding US immigration policies, Karen Newton, a 65-year-old British tourist, found herself shackled and imprisoned for six weeks, despite possessing a valid visa. Her experience sheds light on the troubling reality faced by international travellers to the United States under the current administration’s stringent immigration enforcement.
Dream Trip Turns Into Ordeal
Karen Newton embarked on what she anticipated to be a dream holiday with her husband, Bill, in late July 2025. After an eight-year hiatus from international travel, she was eager to explore the scenic wonders of California, Nevada, and Montana. However, her idyllic journey took a drastic turn on 26 September when, after an unsuccessful attempt to cross into Canada, they were redirected back to US border control.
Initially anxious about her husband’s expired visa, Karen remained hopeful that her valid tourist visa would ensure a smooth return home. But instead, the couple was detained, and Karen soon found herself at the mercy of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Detention: A Harrowing Experience
The reality of her situation became stark as she was handcuffed and transported to an ICE detention centre. “I was bewildered,” Karen recounted. “There was no reason to hold me. I didn’t enter the country illegally.” Despite her lack of a criminal record and valid documentation, she was incarcerated for a total of six weeks, enduring conditions that she described as akin to a prison.
Throughout her detention, Karen learned from guards that ICE officers receive bonuses for every individual they detain, a revelation that painted a troubling picture of the agency’s operations. The Trump administration has significantly increased ICE’s budget and resources, leading to an aggressive enforcement approach that has reportedly resulted in quotas for detaining individuals, irrespective of their legal status.
A System in Crisis
Karen’s ordeal is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend affecting international tourists. Reports have emerged of various individuals—German, British, and Canadian—who have faced similar fates, often detained without clear justification while attempting to leave the country. These stories underscore the unsettling reality that even those with legitimate reasons for being in the US can find themselves ensnared in a complex and unforgiving immigration system.
As the Trump administration continues to push stringent immigration policies, tourism to the US is suffering. In 2025 alone, the country experienced a 4.5 million drop in international visitors, resulting in a staggering $12.5 billion loss in revenue. The climate of fear surrounding immigration enforcement is prompting many potential visitors to reconsider their travel plans.
The Impact of Detention and Deportation Policies
Karen’s time in detention was fraught with anxiety and uncertainty. She faced challenges such as inadequate legal representation and a lack of communication about her case. “I thought they would come to their senses and let me go,” she said. Instead, she and other detainees were left in limbo, waiting for updates that rarely came.
The situation took a turn when Karen was eventually offered the option of “self-removal,” a scheme that promised expedited departures in exchange for waiving the right to a court hearing and accepting a potential ban from the US. Faced with the grim reality of her situation, Karen reluctantly agreed, believing it was the quickest way home.
After weeks of detention, Karen was finally released on 6 November, although the experience left her deeply shaken. Returning to her home in Hertfordshire, she found herself grappling with the aftermath of her ordeal—financial repercussions, emotional scars, and the unsettling knowledge that her basic rights had been violated.
Why it Matters
Karen Newton’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the precarious nature of immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly under the current administration. As international tourism declines and stories of unjust detentions mount, the implications extend beyond individual experiences to the broader landscape of global travel and diplomacy. The chilling message is clear: if a law-abiding tourist can be detained and treated as a criminal, it raises grave concerns for all potential visitors to the US. The American tourism industry faces a pivotal moment, as it must contend with the fallout from policies that not only jeopardise the safety of travellers but also threaten the very fabric of its hospitality and international relations.