The German Foreign Office has taken significant steps to adjust its travel advice for the United States following a series of troubling incidents involving the detention of German citizens upon their arrival. This update, announced on March 19, 2025, comes after multiple reports of Germans, including one with a Green Card, being arrested upon entry into the country. The Foreign Office’s new guidance underscores the evolving complexities of U.S. immigration enforcement under the current administration.
In recent weeks, three German nationals found themselves in distressing situations at U.S. airports, with one high-profile case involving a German resident named Fabian Schmidt, who was detained in Boston. Despite holding legal permanent residency, Schmidt’s return from Luxembourg led to his arrest. Family members relayed their concerns over Schmidt’s treatment, which included excessive questioning and alleged abusive behavior from border authorities. “I was yelled at and forced to undress, and later fell ill, necessitating hospitalization, where I was restrained to the bed,” Schmidt revealed, illustrating the intense scrutiny and harsh conditions some travelers faced.
