Rebecca Burke: Father of British Backpacker Detained in the US Describes Her ‘Life-Changing Trip’ as a Nightmare | UK News
The father of a British tourist held in the United States expressed to Sky News that “what was intended to be a transformative journey has turned into a distressing ordeal.”
Rebecca Burke, 28, from Monmouthshire, encountered issues while attempting to enter Canada from the US, resulting in her being handcuffed and taken to a detention facility due to a visa complication.
Ms. Burke, who has been touring North America since January, possessed a tourist visa for her backpacking journey, yet her entrance into Canada—where she planned to stay with a host family in exchange for meals and lodging—was denied.
Officials in Canada stated that she required a working visa and subsequently returned Ms. Burke to the United States, where she was “taken by homeland security in handcuffs to a large detention centre,” according to her father, Paul Burke.
Currently, she has been held in the Tacoma Northwest facility in Washington state for 14 days.
Rebecca spent months researching before embarking on her journey to the US and Canada.
“We believed that of all the countries in the world, the USA and Canada would be two of the safest for a British traveler,” Mr. Burke stated during an interview on Sky News Breakfast. “What was supposed to be a life-altering experience has turned into a nightmare.”
Mr. Burke and his wife have been able to communicate with their daughter daily, as she can make phone calls from a shared iPad.
They are increasingly concerned about Ms. Burke’s well-being, as her vegan meals consist only of cold rice and potatoes.
Paul Burke is worried about his daughter’s health.
“We spoke with her last night, and she mentioned that she had to see the nurse due to digestive issues,” Mr. Burke conveyed.
“There are very kind individuals [in Washington] who have volunteered to visit her. They said that when they visit, she will be behind a glass partition and they’ll have to communicate through a phone.
“It’s unbelievable that a British tourist is being held in such conditions.”
Ms. Burke has managed to trade with other women in the facility.
Ms. Burke, a graphic artist, has been able to barter with other women in the centre to obtain fresh fruit, her father mentioned.
“She trades portraits of the other women and their children in exchange for oranges or other foods,” he explained. “In terms of how the other women are treating her, it has truly become a supportive community. They are all looking out for one another, which is a positive aspect.”
Rebecca Burke has been informed that it may take an additional 10 days for her case to be reviewed.
It remains uncertain when Ms. Burke’s situation will be resolved by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, who are reportedly “overloaded with cases” as a result of the government’s intensified immigration policies, according to her father.
“The detention centres are filling up due to the crackdown,” Mr. Burke added. “Becky told us that her detention centre will reach full capacity next week.”
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“She was informed by the ICE officer that it could be yet another 10 days before her case is addressed,” he added. “Why can’t it be taken care of tomorrow? We just want her back home.”
A Foreign Office spokesman stated: “We are providing support to a British national detained in the USA and are in contact with local authorities.”
