The father of a British tourist being held in the US has told Sky News “what was meant to be a life-changing trip has turned into a nightmare”.
Rebecca Burke, 28, from Monmouthshire, was attempting to cross into Canada from the US when she ended up being handcuffed and taken to a detention facility due to an issue with her visa.
Ms Burke, who has been travelling since January, had a tourist visa for her backpacking trip around North America, but her entry into Canada – where she was planning to stay with a host family in exchange for food and accommodation – was rejected.
Canadian officials said she needed a working visa and sent Ms Burke back to the US – where she was then “taken by homeland security in handcuffs to a large detention centre”, her father Paul Burke said.
She has now been held in the Tacoma Northwest facility in Washington state for 14 days.
“We thought of all the countries in the world, two of the safest for a British tourist to go to would be the USA and Canada,” Mr Burke said during an interview on Sky News Breakfast. “What was meant to be life changing for her has turned into a nightmare.”
Mr Burke and his wife have been able to speak to their daughter daily, as she can make phone calls from a shared iPad.
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They have become worried about Ms Burke’s health, as her vegan meals consist solely of cold rice and potatoes.
“We spoke to her last night and she said she had to go and see the medic because she’s got digestive problems,” Ms Burke said.
“We’ve got very kind people [in Washington] who have offered to visit her. They’ve said when they visit, she’s behind a glass screen and they have to talk to her on a telephone.
“I can’t believe a British tourist is being kept in these conditions.”
Ms Burke – a graphic artist – has been able to trade with other women in the centre to secure fresh fruit, her dad said.
“She’s trading portraits of the other women and the other women’s kids, in return for an orange or some other food,” he said. “In terms of how the other women are treating her, it really is a band of sisters working together. They’re taking care of each other.
“They’re all trying to help each other and support each other, which is one good thing.”
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It is unclear when Ms Burke’s case will be dealt with by US immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, who are “overloaded with cases” due to the US government’s blitz on immigration, her father said.
“The detention centres are being filled because of the crackdown,” Mr Burke continued. “Becky told us that her detention centre will be at capacity next week.”
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“She was told by the ICE officer, it could still be another 10 days [until her case is dealt with],” he continued. “Why can’t it be tomorrow? We just want her home.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting a British national detained in the USA and are in contact with the local authorities.”
