Family of British tourist detained in US following Trump crackdown speak out about ‘nightmare’ situation

The family of a British tourist detained in the US has spoken out about the ‘nightmare situation’ lasting over a week.

Becky Burke has now spent 12 days in a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing centre in Washington State while President Donald Trump’s government cracks down on immigration.

The 28-year-old began backpacking around the states on 7 January and had spent time in Portland, Oregon, with a host family. The Welsh woman had been helping out with household chores in return for accommodation.

She then travelled over to Seattle in February with plans to then go to Vancouver in Canada and stay with another family.

But when she got to the border, Becky says Canadian authorities denied her entry.

Her family suspect authorities think she broke her visa terms by helping at host's homes. (Instagram)

They were apparently concerned she might try and work illegally in the country and she ended up spending six hours at the border.

Becky told the BBC she was ‘interrogated’ and while she explained she was ‘not paid at all’ in the US, it was decided she had ‘violated’ her visa.

She then couldn’t re-enter the US and now says she is being held in a dormitory of 110 people in a ‘maxed out’ immigration detention centre.

Her dad, Paul, told The Sun: “What was meant to be a life-changing four-month backpacking trip across North America has turned into a nightmare."

He explained his vegan daughter is ‘surviving on a diet of cold rice, potatoes and beans’ and has ‘limited access to phone calls’.

"All her possessions have been confiscated, and she feels isolated and desperate to come home,” Paul added.

As Becky’s family is not American, they’re unable to add money to her inmate account to buy essentials so have instead had to reach out to some American pals for help.

The backpacker told the BBC she is woken up at 6:30am each day with there being ‘never enough time to sleep’ in the ‘cold’ dorm.

Her detention comes as Trump cracks down. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“I wear the same jumper for a week. They're short or out of stuff, like blankets and extra clothes. I have one towel,” she added.

While Trump has been cracking down on immigration, Becky added that many of those she has met so far are ‘stuck’ at the centre’.

"Everyone is actually really shocked when I explain my situation," she added.

"I came to the US for the first time two years ago... I had a great time, that's why I wanted to come back again. I love nature and hiking. Now I see no nature in here at all."

With Becky wanting to come back to the UK, the family have apparently been told voluntary departure has to be approved by a judge, but they say they don't know 'how to make that happen'. Her parents also added they have been in daily contact with the British consulate in San Francisco (the closest one to the detention facility) but claimed 'official channels can't get a clear answer about what is going on'.

ICE told the BBC: "All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States regardless of nationality."

A FCDO Spokesperson said: “We are supporting a British national detained in the USA and are in contact with the local authorities.”