UK issues updated travel warning for Brits travelling to US
The UK has updated its official US travel advice page to issue a fresh warning to those heading over the pond.
New York City, Washington, Las Vegas, Disneyland... There are many reasons why someone might want to visit the US this summer.
But Brits are now being warned to get clued up about the 'strict' entry requirements that come with a trip to the States amid Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration.
The 78-year-old has wasted no time in getting to work since his inauguration in January, making plenty of controversial calls from dismantling the Department of Education to signing an executive order to end the use of federal taxpayer dollars to 'fund or promote elective abortion'.
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However, one of the president's most controversial actions has come in the form of his clamp down on immigration, with 238 alleged 'illegal aliens' deported to El Salvador recently, where they will spend time in a prison renowned as one of the world's worst.
Trump's new rules were imposed on British backpacker Becky Burke, who spent time in a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing centre in Washington along with 110 others after being denied entry into Canada at the border.
And unsurprisingly, the UK government has now issued more up-to-date advice to ensure that other British citizens won't face similar punishments should they make the trip to the States.
What is the current travel advice for those travelling from the UK to the US?
British citizens are urged to ensure they have the correct documentation and to adhere to all visa conditions when entering the country, which includes obtaining either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) or a visa.
The updated guidance from the GOV.UK website reads as follows: "You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules."
Your passport must also be valid until the end of your stay and to enter or transit through the US.
The site also adds: "Visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited. Plan your application as far ahead as possible before travel."
For people with dual citizenship, 'US law requires US citizens to enter and exit the US using a US passport'.
While the US isn't actively urging British tourists to stay away in the same way that some locals in Mallorca are because of our boozy habits, the punishment for travelling in the US without proper documentation is far worse than having one too many beers in Barcelona.
So maybe think twice before you book that romantic trip to Rhode Island and make sure everything is in order when you take to the skies.
Topics: Donald Trump, Travel
James Moorhouse