Unsettling Ordeal for a German Citizen in US Custody: A Tale of Detention and Dispute
Detainee Freed Following Over Two-Month Imprisonment in United States
Tread with caution—this account recounts an alarming tale of a German citizen, Fabian Schmidt, who experienced a two-month-long ordeal in a US detention center. Schmidt, a resident of New Hampshire, found himself on the other side of the bars, and his story raises questions about the treatment of foreigners by the US authorities.
Schmidt was taken into custody at Boston Airport on March 7 and detained in a facility in Rhode Island. His mom shared her concerns, stating that he's lived in the US since 2007 and holds a green card, which affords him almost the full rights of a US citizen. Schmidt alleged that he was met with harsh treatment and questioned in an aggressive manner, even being forced to undress. During his confinement, he fell ill and required medical attention, but he was restrained to a bed during his hospital visit.
The US Department of Homeland Security remained tight-lipped on the matter, refusing to comment. However, the German Consulate General in Boston took up the cause, providing consular assistance to the affected individual.
Germany's Foreign Office has been busy revising its travel advisory for the US. It now warns that travelers may encounter detention, arrest, or even deportation, sometimes due to fraudulent entry claims or minor violations of visa conditions. The US legal system is being challenged amidst such incidents, with suspicions of drug-related offenses underlying several detentions, much like Schmidt's case.
Intriguing Facts:
- According to reports, German teens traveling as backpackers have fallen victim to US border control, with detentions lasting overnight or even weeks, and subsequent deportation.
- The German foreign ministry stresses that possession of a US visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorization doesn’t guarantee entry, owing to numerous recent detentions of German citizens at US borders.
- Cases have surfaced involving German-Americans, who were detained for extended periods, sparking concern among travelers and criticism of US border enforcement.
- false pretenses, potentially drug-related charges, have led to detentions in some instances.
Readers, beware—美国边境控制威胁 travelers, with stories like Schmidt’s increasingly common among German tourists and residents. Take heed of the German government’s advice and prepare thoroughly for your US trip to avoid entanglements with the law at the border.
[1] Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) press release
[2] ntv.de
[3] DW.com
[4] The Local (Germany)
- The ongoing detention of Fabian Schmidt, a German citizen and New Hampshire resident, has sparked debates about the US employment policy and its treatment of foreigners in custody, as he was held in a detention center for two months without clear charges or explanations.
- The US Department of Homeland Security's employment policy has been criticized, as Fabian Schmidt was reportedly subjected to harsh treatment, aggressive questioning, and forced to undress, which is in stark contrast to the rights he should have enjoyed as a green card holder in the US.
- The incident involving Fabian Schmidt highlights the need for a comprehensive review of community policy regarding the detention of foreigners, considering his extended detention, hospital visit under restraint, and allegations of drug-related charges without substantiation.
- Whatsapp conversations between Fabian Schmidt and his contacts have been requested by US authorities, as part of the investigation into his case, raising privacy and data protection concerns related to the DHS's employment policy and its impact on general-news and crime-and-justice proceedings.
