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Karen Newton, a 65-year-old grandmother from Hertfordshire, recently shared her harrowing experience of being detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for six weeks, a situation she describes as both bewildering and terrifying. Despite travelling with a valid tourist visa, her holiday turned into a nightmare, raising alarms about the current state of US immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
A Dream Trip Turned Nightmare
In late July 2025, Karen and her husband, Bill, set off on what was meant to be a long-awaited holiday across the United States, followed by a trip to Canada. After spending years away from international travel, the couple was eager for adventure and sunshine. Their itinerary included iconic destinations such as Yellowstone National Park, where Karen marvelled at natural wonders like the Old Faithful geyser.
However, their dream vacation took a dark turn on 26 September when they attempted to cross into Canada. Upon being turned back due to Bill’s expired visa, they were sent back to US border control, where the ordeal began. Initially concerned for Bill, Karen soon found herself handcuffed and transported to an ICE detention centre, despite holding a valid visa.
The Mechanisms of Detention
During her time at the Northwest ICE Processing Center, where she was held, Karen learned of a troubling incentive structure within ICE: officers reportedly receive bonuses for each individual they detain. “I kept hearing from the guards that ICE agents are paid per head detained,” she recounted. This revelation has led Karen to believe that the current administration’s policies have created an environment where even innocent tourists are at risk of unjust detention.
The budget for ICE has skyrocketed from $6 billion a decade ago to an astonishing $85 billion, making it the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the United States. Following Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, ICE was instructed to ramp up detentions, resulting in alarming reports of international tourists being swept into the agency’s net. Karen’s experience was not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger trend affecting many travellers.
The Impact of Policy on Personal Lives
While Karen waited for her case to be resolved, she was kept in degrading conditions, sleeping on a thin mat on the floor and deprived of basic comforts. “It’s called a detention facility, but it’s really a prison,” she said of the harsh environment. She was stripped of her personal belongings, including her phone, which limited her ability to communicate with her family back home in the UK.
Her ordeal lasted 42 days, during which she grappled with pain, isolation, and confusion. The situation was exacerbated by a lack of clear communication and assistance from authorities, leaving her feeling hopeless. Although she and Bill were ultimately released after opting for “self-removal,” the experience left a lasting impact on her psyche.
High Stakes for Tourism
The repercussions of Karen’s detention extend beyond her personal experience; they reflect a troubling trend in international tourism to the United States. The country saw a significant decline in international visitors in 2025, with a reported 4.5 million fewer arrivals, causing an estimated $12.5 billion loss in revenue for the tourism sector.
As the US prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, concerns grow about how the current immigration policies may deter tourists. Karen warns potential visitors, particularly young people attending the event, that they could easily find themselves in similar circumstances. “If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone,” she cautions.
Why it Matters
Karen’s gripping account of her detention serves as a stark reminder of the chilling effects that stringent immigration policies can have on innocent travellers. With a climate of fear and uncertainty surrounding US border enforcement, the implications are significant not only for individual lives but also for the broader tourism industry, which relies heavily on the goodwill of international visitors. As the world watches, the need for accountability and reform in US immigration practices has never been more pressing.