SAN DIEGO — Lennon Tyler and her German fiancé, Lucas Sielaff, often enjoyed road trips to Mexico from Las Vegas, savoring the convenience of the proximity. However, their recent journey back from Tijuana ended in turmoil when U.S. border agents detained them. Tyler, a U.S. citizen, was handcuffed and secured to a bench, while Sielaff was taken into custody over suspicions of breaching his 90-day tourist visa terms. Sielaff endured 16 days in a crowded immigration detention facility before he could return to Germany.
In recent times under President Donald Trump’s administration, similar incidents have surfaced where tourists like Sielaff experienced lengthy detentions at U.S. borders and immigration facilities before being allowed, at their own cost, to fly back home. Among the affected was another German traveler held at the Tijuana crossing in late January, and a Canadian woman detained for nearly two weeks. These incidents have become a source of anxiety as many anticipate the effect of forthcoming travel bans on specific countries.
The American Friends Service Committee, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding migrants, expressed surprise at detentions involving citizens from U.S. allied Western European countries and Canada. “The current anti-immigrant atmosphere is the sole explanation that seems plausible,” said Pedro Rios, director of their US-Mexico border program. Traditionally, tourists from nations requiring visas, a majority non-Western, have faced noteworthy entry challenges. Conversely, travelers from countries partaking in specialized travel programs have historically enjoyed smoother entries.
The University of California, Los Angeles urged its international community to remain watchful, citing evolving travel policies that could impact re-entry into the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement noted that travelers like Sielaff were deemed inadmissible by Customs and Border Protection without offering further specifics. Despite successful online registration through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, denial of entry remains at discretion. The United Kingdom and Germany previously issued advisories alerting travelers about rigorous border policies and potential detention risks.
During their check-in on their return, Sielaff faced aggressive questioning from a border agent, leading to his detainment. Not fluent in English, Sielaff’s response was misunderstood, prompting further questioning. Despite their intentions to voluntarily leave, Sielaff’s experience escalated significantly: he underwent a comprehensive search, was confined to a holding cell, and subsequently transferred to a San Diego detention center. Unable to obtain information about Sielaff, Tyler faced immense distress, and it took substantial effort and a costly flight home before Sielaff could finally leave.
The broader impact of these detentions extended to foreign travelers like Becky Burke, backpacking across North America, and Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney, both detained at U.S. borders. These incidents resonate with growing unrest over current administration policies on visa and green card holders. Tyler and Sielaff, dismayed by the episode, are reconsidering their wedding plans in Las Vegas, and he is contemplating therapy to overcome the ordeal.
The ongoing legal contention surrounds the Trump administration’s approach to the enforcement of existing immigration laws, stirring both domestic and international concern. Tyler is preparing to take legal action against the U.S. government due to their encounter. Reflecting on his experience, Sielaff asserted, “It’s become unsafe for tourists to visit America.”
