British backpacker locked up for nearly three weeks after trying to cross from US to Canada admits she was naive about Trumps border crackdown
A British backpacker who was detained in a cell for almost three weeks after trying to cross from the US to Canada says she was naive about Donald Trumps border crackdown.
A British backpacker who was detained in a cell for almost three weeks after trying to cross from the US to Canada says she was naive about Donald Trumps border crackdown.
Rebecca Burke, 28, from Monmouthshire, south Wales, was trying to enter Canada from the state of Washington when she was refused entry by officials.
The graphic artist, who crossed the pond in January and had been living in Portland, Oregon, after some time sightseeing in New York, was told she should have applied for a working visa rather than a tourist visa.
Ms Burke said she had not been concerned about leaving the US prior to her attempts to cross the border, which seen her locked up for 19 days.
I was worried on their [people being detained at the border] behalf - an abstract worry and concern for others - rather than for myself, she told The Guardian.
I was naive to think that what was going on in the world or at the border wouldnt affect me.
When trying to cross the border into Canada, authorities told her to go back to the US and fill in new paperwork before returning.
But when she tried to re-enter the US, Ms Burke was immediately handcuffed and locked in a cell before being taken to Tacoma Northwest detention facility in Washington state.
Rebecca Burke (right) from Monmouthshire, south Wales, was trying to enter Canada from the state of Washington when she was refused entry by officials; also pictured is Ms Burkes mother, Andrea Burke (left)
The graphic artist (above) who crossed the pond in January and had been living in Portland, Oregon after initial sightseeing in New York, was told she should have applied for a working visa rather than a tourist visa
When she tried to re-enter the US, Ms Burke (left) was immediately handcuffed and locked in a cell before being taken to Tacoma Northwest detention facility in Washington state
She was taken to a dorm which she shared with dozens of other women, most of whom were asylum seekers.
Her father Paul Burke first contacted the British foreign office before deciding to bring it to the attention of the UK press.
His daughter was released after just one week of widespread media coverage.
I was aware that it was from a major position of privilege that the press listened to this story, Ms Burke said.
Maybe border security have been pressured to prove theyre stepping up. It did feel like they wanted to get me from the moment I walked to the American side.
Mr Burke has advised those planning to visit the US to rigorously plan ahead, but his daughter has urged people not to go at all.
First, because of the danger of what could happen to you, she said.
And, secondly, do you really want to give your money to this country right now?