Recent detentions of German nationals by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have sparked outrage and confusion. Although citizens of the European Union, including Germany, are permitted to enter the U.S. visa-free for up to 90 days, several German nationals have found themselves trapped in a complex and opaque immigration system, including Green Card holders and tourists.
One of the most troubling cases involves Fabian Schmidt, a 34-year-old Green Card holder, who was detained at Boston’s Logan Airport on March 7, 2025, after returning from a trip to Germany. Schmidt, who has lived in the U.S. since 2007, was interrogated for hours and denied food, water, and his prescribed anxiety medication, ultimately requiring hospitalization. His mother, Astrid Senior, stated to local media that her son was pressured to renounce his Green Card, but he refused. Schmidt’s lawyer, David Keller, confirmed that neither he nor Schmidt have been informed of any formal charges or reasons for the detention. Legal experts, including John Gihon from the American Immigration Lawyers Association, noted that ICE is no longer required to serve charges within 72 hours, leaving detainees like Schmidt in legal limbo.
Meanwhile, other German nationals have shared similar harrowing experiences. Lucas Sielaff, a 25-year-old from Bad Bibra, was detained for two weeks after traveling to Mexico with his American fiancée. He was held in a crowded ICE facility in California, shackled and interrogated without being informed of his charges, before being deported back to Germany. Similarly, Jessica Brösche, a tattoo artist, was detained for six weeks after crossing from Mexico, under suspicion that she intended to work illegally in the U.S.
One more case involves Celine Flad, a 22-year-old student, who was detained for 24 hours after attempting to enter the U.S. with a valid ESTA. She was questioned repeatedly about her travel intentions and had her smartphone searched, only to be sent back to Germany without an explanation.
These cases have prompted the German Foreign Ministry to issue an advisory to its citizens, urging caution when traveling to the U.S. The Ministry expressed serious concern over the recent spate of detentions, particularly given that travelers with valid documentation are being turned away or detained without clear reasons.
The rising number of such incidents is a direct consequence of stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration, which sought to tighten border security and enforcement. However, many of these actions seem inconsistent and arbitrary, leading to a sense of unease and frustration among travelers, especially those from countries with visa-waiver agreements with the U.S.
As the situation continues to unfold, both the German Foreign Ministry and U.S. immigration lawyers are calling for transparency and clarification regarding the reasons behind these detentions, as the treatment of lawful residents and tourists alike raises serious human rights concerns.
