Becky Burke's parents say her legs, waist and hands were secured by US immigration officers.

Summary

Welsh tourist Becky Burke was detained for 19 days in a US immigration facility and transported in chains like “Hannibal Lecter” after alleged visa violations.

Burke had been backpacking and staying with host families in exchange for help around the house, which authorities suspected breached her tourist visa conditions.

Deported on March 18, she described the ordeal as traumatizing. Her parents criticized the harsh treatment and are considering addressing the issue politically.

  • edric@lemm.eeEnglish
    111·
    1 day ago

    Most countries are pretty strict with what you are and aren’t allowed to do while on a tourist visa. For example, tourists are generally not allowed to work or earn income while visiting, you need a work visa for that. Now I’m not 100% versed on how work is defined in this case, but they must have interpreted her chores-for-accommodation setup as work. Not excusing what they did to her, just providing context on the restrictions of tourist visas. I’m sure a lot of people have been doing this for a while, and the current immigration climate is likely why they’re just flagging it now.

      • edric@lemm.eeEnglish
        4·
        22 hours ago

        Border agents usually ask where you will be staying for the duration of your trip. They can also ask how you will be supporting yourself. She likely answered honestly and said she will be doing chores for host families in exchange for accommodation, which they probably interpreted as her working. Normally, a typical tourist will have hotel/airbnb reservations and border agents can ask to see those as proof.