Case highlights how minor oversights can trigger harsh immigration enforcement under aggressive U.S. border policies
Apr 22, 2025
Two German teenage girls, Maria Lepère and Charlotte Pohl, were detained and deported from the United States after arriving in Hawaii without pre-booked accommodations, despite holding valid travel authorizations. The incident, which took place under the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies, has sparked concern over the harsh treatment of international tourists for minor oversights. The girls, traveling on a post-graduation world tour, were held in a detention facility and subjected to invasive searches before being deported.
Key takeaways
- Detention and deportation: The teens were detained upon arrival in Honolulu on March 18 and deported after not having accommodations booked for their five-week stay in Hawaii.
- Strict immigration policies: The case reflects the aggressive enforcement approach under President Trump, where even minor oversights can trigger serious consequences for tourists.
- Treatment of travelers: The girls reported being subjected to full-body scans, strip searches, and being held with long-term detainees, raising human rights concerns.
- Official response: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated they were denied entry, not deported, citing suspicions the girls intended to work illegally.
- Germany’s reaction: Germany’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that ESTA or a visa doesn’t guarantee U.S. entry and advised travelers to be well-prepared, including proof of accommodation and return flights.
- Diplomatic implications: The German Foreign Office is monitoring the situation and may address it diplomatically amid a growing trend of European tourists being denied U.S. entry.
- Traveler warning: The incident underscores the importance of thorough travel planning and documentation, particularly under increasingly scrutinous immigration protocols.
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