Thursday, June 12, 2025
Travelers from Spain, Germany, and France are now encountering unexpected detentions and entry denials at major U.S. airports—including JFK, LAX, and Miami—despite arriving with valid documents, as U.S. authorities tighten scrutiny over travel intent and visa waivers. This growing crackdown stems from rising concerns that some visitors may blur the line between tourism and unauthorized work, triggering aggressive enforcement by border agents who are increasingly relying on vague interpretations of immigration rules to justify holding or turning back European nationals at the gate.
In the past, the main concerns at airports were relatively simple: the stress of removing your shoes at the security checkpoint, possibly losing your socks to the TSA scanner, or enduring an awkward conversation with a fellow traveler who felt the need to share every detail of their cruise itinerary. However, the 2025 travel season has introduced a new, more perplexing layer of drama to transatlantic journeys. European travelers have found themselves suddenly detained at major U.S. airports, questioned for hours, and, in some cases, sent back home with little more than a stamp on their passport.
What’s causing this unexpected disruption in the travel experience? The answer isn’t entirely clear. What is certain is that this new development seems deeply bureaucratic, blending confusion and frustration in a uniquely American way. Travelers from Spain, Germany, and France—among other European nations—have found themselves ensnared in this web of uncertainty at key entry points, including New York’s JFK, Los Angeles International, and Miami International airports. Some are sent back to Europe, while others endure extensive questioning before being allowed in. Either way, a trip that was supposed to be a vacation or business venture quickly transforms into an ordeal.
Is this situation normal, or is this just the new reality for travelers heading to the U.S.? The truth lies somewhere in between. While the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has always maintained broad discretion when it comes to admitting travelers, the latest detentions reflect a shift in how these rules are being enforced. Under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows most European travelers to enter the U.S. with an approved ESTA form, border agents are still the final decision-makers when it comes to granting entry. In essence, travelers can be turned away at the border even if they have all the necessary paperwork.
Imagine this: you arrive at a dinner party, flowers and wine in hand, only to have the host turn you away without explanation. You’ve done everything right, but still find yourself standing on the doorstep with no clear reason for being denied access.
Some European governments, including those of Germany and the Netherlands, have begun issuing travel advisories, quietly urging their citizens to carry extra documentation proving the purpose of their trip. This is especially crucial for remote workers, freelancers, and digital nomads, whose dual roles as travelers and workers can blur the lines between tourism and employment. In fact, travelers carrying multiple electronic devices—such as laptops—are now finding themselves subjected to additional scrutiny, as border agents are increasingly suspicious of individuals who may be planning to work remotely while in the U.S.
Since late 2024, reports of European travelers facing increased scrutiny have become more widespread. Anecdotal accounts have surfaced in online forums, detailing experiences of travelers being detained for hours at U.S. airports or questioned about the purpose of their trips. For instance, a French student was detained at Boston Logan for allegedly “intending to work remotely,” while a Spanish couple was interrogated about their Airbnb bookings. Other cases include a German retiree who was grilled over how she intended to support herself during her two-month stay in California.
The reasons for detentions, when they are given at all, are often vague. Travelers are sometimes told they are being held due to “immigration intent,” “suspicion of unauthorized work,” or “insufficient ties to their home country.” However, none of these explanations are criminal charges; they are simply assumptions that are often based on the agent’s interpretation of the situation. The lack of clear guidelines or standards for such decisions is a major issue, as it means travelers are often left in limbo with no concrete answers.
In response to these growing concerns, European governments have started to raise awareness and seek clarification from U.S. authorities. Spain’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement in May 2025 acknowledging a “pattern of increasing scrutiny” and reminding citizens that entry to the U.S. is not guaranteed—even with a valid ESTA. At the same time, the European Union’s ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)—a reciprocal digital entry requirement for U.S. travelers to Europe—has begun to resurface in public conversations. With ETIAS slated to become operational in late 2026, several EU officials have suggested that such measures might now feel more relevant than ever.
So, who is most at risk of facing these unexpected detentions? Generally speaking, the vast majority of European travelers still breeze through U.S. immigration control with little more than a smile and a stamp on their passport. However, certain individuals may now face more scrutiny than they have in the past. These include:
Remote workers or freelancers who mention working from the U.S.Travelers with one-way tickets or plans for extended staysThose without clear proof of accommodation or return travel arrangementsPeople carrying work tools, equipment, or multiple electronic devices
To reduce the likelihood of being detained or denied entry, European travelers should take extra precautions and ensure they have the following documentation:
Proof of return travel (e.g., flight ticket or itinerary)Hotel reservations or a signed invitation letter from a U.S. residentA clear explanation of the purpose of your trip (tourism, family visit, business meeting, etc.)Evidence of employment or enrollment in a school in your home country
It may seem excessive, but in the current climate, it’s better to be over-prepared than to risk being detained or sent home. Anyone who has endured the experience of secondary screening at the airport can attest that time seems to stretch endlessly in a room with no windows and no clocks.
For those who have gone through this process, the experience can feel like a bureaucratic nightmare. Phones are often taken away or disabled, and there’s little chance to contact a lawyer or get assistance. Travelers are frequently left sitting in holding areas for hours, denied basic comforts like food or water, and subjected to lengthy interrogations with no clear end in sight.
This experience highlights the growing challenges at the intersection of tourism, remote work, and border security. As technology evolves and people increasingly work while traveling, the line between what constitutes a tourist and what constitutes a worker is becoming increasingly blurred. For many, the rise of remote work means that a trip that once seemed straightforward is now viewed with suspicion.
In 2025, travelers from Spain, Germany, and France are facing unexpected detentions and increased scrutiny at US airports due to tighter immigration enforcement and growing concerns over remote work and digital nomadism. This heightened security is disrupting what was once a straightforward travel experience.
Travelers from Spain, Germany, and France are facing new detentions and entry denials at major U.S. airports like JFK, LAX, and Miami despite valid documents, as U.S. border agents crack down on travel intent and tighten visa waiver enforcement.
Will these changes affect your next trip to the U.S.? If you are a European citizen with all your documents in order and no hidden agendas, your chances of smooth entry are still very good. However, the mood at U.S. borders has shifted. Travelers are now subject to more questions, more caution, and more uncertainty. While travel to the U.S. remains possible, it’s clear that the experience is now a little more complicated—more suspicious, more formal, and more dependent on the paperwork you didn’t know you needed. So, before you pack your bags for your next American adventure, be sure to gather all your documents, prepare for additional questions, and consider leaving that second laptop at home.
