Germany Warns Citizens After Border Detentions
Something shocking is happening at America’s borders that’s making headlines across Europe. Germany’s Foreign Office adjusted its travel advisory after several of its citizens were reportedly arrested and detained by immigration authorities while entering the U.S., according to local media reports. A German official on Saturday told NPR the country’s consulates general are aware of cases of citizens being detained and are in contact with their families as well as U.S. officials. The warning followed reports of three German nationals who were detained at the U.S. border and deported, according to Reuters. The German government’s response sends a clear message that even traditionally friendly allies aren’t taking any chances with America’s new immigration stance. A message on Germany’s foreign office website notes that, “Neither a valid ESTA authorization nor a valid U.S. visa constitutes a right to entry into the USA. The final decision regarding entry is made by the U.S. border official. It is recommended that you bring proof of your return journey (e.g., flight booking) upon entry. There is no legal recourse against this decision. German diplomatic missions abroad are unable to influence the reversal of a denial of entry.” This stark warning represents a dramatic shift in how Germany views travel to its longtime ally.
United Kingdom Issues Stern Entry Warnings
The United Kingdom is also warning its residents to comply with all entry rules or they “may be liable to arrest or detention.” The move comes after a tourist from the U.K. was reportedly arrested and detained by ICE at the U.S.-Canada border earlier this month. The U.K.’s foreign office also updated its advice for its citizens traveling to the U.S. The warning says that, “Travelers should only enter the United States with a valid ESTA or visa that corresponds to the intended purpose of their stay. Criminal records in the United States, false information about the purpose of their stay, or even a slight overstay of their visa upon entry or exit can lead to arrest, detention, and deportation.” British authorities are leaving nothing to chance, making it crystal clear that the consequences of any misstep could be severe. On Mar. 20, the U.K. updated its advice on travel to the United States, noting harsh consequences may come to those who violate immigration laws. “The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules strictly,” the office said. “You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.” The language is unusually direct for diplomatic communications, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Ireland Updates Guidance on Gender Requirements
On Monday, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade revised its travel advisory for transgender citizens planning to travel to the U.S. They warned that US officials have indicated that ESTA and visa applications “should reflect the traveller’s biological sex at birth.” In the meantime, Ireland has issued a warning that Irish citizens will have to fill out forms declaring their sex to get an ESTA visa waiver. “The US authorities have indicated that this should reflect, what they term, the traveler’s biological sex at birth,” reads the advisory. “Travelers whose sex on their passport differs from sex assigned at birth should contact the Embassy of the United States of America in Dublin for further details on specific entry requirements.” This represents a significant policy shift that affects a vulnerable population seeking to visit America. Ireland’s proactive approach shows how seriously European nations are taking these changes. The advisory specifically targets travelers whose documentation might not align with new U.S. requirements, creating additional bureaucratic hurdles for citizens who previously faced no such obstacles.
Netherlands and Belgium Join the Warning Wave
The Netherlands and Belgium are the latest two European countries moving to update their travel advice for the United States for LGBTQ+ citizens and all people traveling to the U.S. The Dutch foreign ministry has warned that U.S. customs and laws regarding sexual minorities may differ from those in the Netherlands. Belgium is also set to update its advice soon due to “tightened border controls” and new challenges for LGBTQ+ people, according to reports. Similarly, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated its guidance on Tuesday stating that Dutch citizens must also include their gender at birth on their ESTA and visa applications. While no citizens from the Netherlands are known to have been turned away at the US border, the country put out an advisory that “you must indicate your gender at birth when applying for an ESTA or a visa” to the United States. These advisories represent a coordinated European response to protect their citizens from potential complications at U.S. borders. The timing suggests governments are responding to specific incidents and policy changes that have created uncertainty for travelers.
Denmark and Finland Issue Gender-Specific Warnings
Denmark has warned its citizens, who can have an X marker for their sex on passports, that it could be challenging to visit the United States, writing “if you have the gender designation X in your passport or you have changed gender, it is recommended to contact the US embassy prior to travel for guidance on how to proceed.” Finland has just been named the world’s happiest country for the eighth straight year. Last month, the country issued an advisory regarding US travel, noting that “if the gender listed on the applicant’s passport does not match the gender assigned at birth, the US authorities may deny the application for a travel permit or visa.” Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing Trump’s executive order that the U.S. now only recognizes two sexes, male and female, says if the gender listed on an applicant’s passport does not match their gender assigned at birth, their travel permit or visa application can be denied. Both Nordic countries are known for their progressive policies on gender identity, making their warnings particularly significant. In a travel advisory on March 14, Finland suggested U.S. authorities may “refuse entry” should citizens have a different gender marker on their passport that differs from their biological sex. Similarly, France’s travel advice included that trans-identifying individuals should email the U.S. consulate should they have questions about entry or visit the U.S. Department of State FAQ page to complete the DS-160 form.
Norway Overhaulds Travel Advisory System
Norway has overhauled its travel advisory for citizens heading to the United States, signaling urgent concern over tightening entry conditions and controversial changes in gender recognition policies. The new guidance underscores the escalating challenges European travelers may face as U.S. immigration rules become more stringent and unpredictable. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry confirmed the update, warning that U.S. entry is no longer guaranteed—even for those holding a valid visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The Norwegian advisory is clear: possessing a visa or ESTA does not guarantee entry into the United States. The final decision rests solely with U.S. immigration officers, and Norwegian authorities have no power to intervene once travelers arrive at the border. This alarming shift places travelers at the mercy of immigration officials, heightening concerns over arbitrary and inconsistent enforcement. As of March 28, 2025, Norway officially joined a growing roster of European nations updating their travel advisories for citizens visiting the United States. This move marked yet another signal of heightened caution among global travel authorities regarding evolving immigration practices and gender recognition policies in the U.S. Norwegian officials confirmed that the updated advisory responds to recent developments concerning detainment and deportation cases involving European travelers, even those with valid visas or ESTA approvals. The Nordic Page initially reported these concerns, prompting Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act swiftly. A spokesperson from the ministry, Laik Hanbaly, clarified to Norwegian media outlet VG that the revision specifically focused on changes in U.S. entry requirements and the legal handling of gender identity at the border.
France and Spain Join European Response
On March 24, France revised travel advice from its foreign ministry, as reported by French newspaper Le Monde and other outlets. As anxiety about traveling to the U.S. grows in response, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom are among the European nations that have revised or updated their U.S. travel advisories. For French citizens, the travel advisory issued this week highlighted a significant change in the U.S. entry process. Travelers are now required to declare their gender assigned at birth when filling out visa or ESTA applications. This new requirement follows changes in U.S. regulations that could make it more difficult for transgender individuals to gain entry to the country, a concern also voiced by German and Finnish authorities. The shift comes after the U.S. implemented a Presidential Decree in January 2025, mandating that all visa applicants have a gender marker on their official documents that aligns with their biological sex. France’s involvement shows this isn’t just a Nordic or Germanic concern, but a broader European issue. In March, a French researcher was denied entry into the U.S. for a conference when border agents in Houston searched his phone and found his messages criticizing the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump. While these particular events have made headlines, it’s unclear how many other travelers have encountered issues. Spain has also quietly updated its advisory, reflecting the widespread nature of European concerns
