(NewsNation) — The Trump administration’s immigration policies are raising concerns among the United States’ European allies.
Germany and the United Kingdom have advised their citizens to be extra vigilant about U.S. entry requirements, following the detentions of tourists from these countries and Canada.
The United Kingdom issued an updated travel advisory for those going to the U.S., telling citizens that they could face repercussions if they breach U.S. immigration laws.
Germany issued a travel directive urging citizens to double-check their travel documents, warning that holding a visa or entry waiver doesn’t guarantee entry into the U.S. The notice came following the arrest of three of its citizens who were detained when attempting to enter the U.S.
DHS denies targeting scientist for political views
A French scientist, who was not named, was on the way to a conference in Texas and was reportedly denied entry because he sent messages critical of President Donald Trump. He was on assignment for the National Center for Scientific Research.
Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister for higher education, said, “He had learned with concern that a French academic who was going to a conference in Houston was denied entry before being deported (back to Europe).”
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement, “Any claim that his removal was based on political beliefs is blatantly false.”
“The French researcher in question was in possession of confidential information on his electronic device from Los Alamos National Laboratory — in violation of non-disclosure agreement — something he admitted to taking without permission and attempted to conceal,” McLaughlin wrote on X.
Georgetown scholar faces deportation
In another case, Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University scholar from India on a student visa, was arrested in Washington D.C. this week.
Badar Khan Suri, who is an Indian national, was detained by ICE earlier this week and was sent to Louisiana, where he is awaiting a hearing in immigration court, his lawyer, Hassan Ahmed told the Washington Post.
McLaughlin wrote on X Wednesday that Suri was “actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media.”
She wrote that Suri has “close connections to a known or suspected terrorist who is a senior advisor to Hamas. She said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined on March 15 that Suri’s activities and presence in the United States “rendered him deportable” under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration cannot deport Suri until his case is heard in court.
Professor deported accused of attending Hezbollah leader’s funeral
In a separate incident, Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Brown University professor, was deported to Lebanon over the weekend despite having a visa and a court order allowing her to remain in the U.S.
Homeland Security officials stated that Alawieh had attended the funeral of Hezbollah’s former leader last month and admitted to following his teachings, though she denies agreeing with his political views.
Travel warnings come pro-Palestinian activist crackdown
These events have occurred as the Trump administration cracks down on pro-Palestinian activism.
Mahamoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student and activist, was arrested by Immigration Customs Enforcement earlier this month after leading campus protests against U.S. military support for Israel. The administration has accused Khalil of supporting Hamas, a claim his lawyers deny.
A former ICE director told NewsNation that detainments and denials of entry into the U.S. aren’t uncommon.
However, travel experts warn that such incidents could severely impact the tourism industry, a trillion-dollar sector, especially with the spring and summer seasons approaching.
“I do, in my professional opinion, think that we’re going to have a decline in tourism this summer and spring, and this is our busiest season,” said travel industry and tourism expert Sandra McLemore. “This is when a lot of companies directly or indirectly related to tourism and travel will produce a huge amount of revenue and a huge amount of income, especially in states like New York, Florida and California.”
Canada has not yet issued a travel warning; however, a Canadian lawyer on Thursday also urged citizens to avoid travel to the U.S.
NewsNation’s Brooke Shafer and The Hill contributed to this report.