German Teenagers Report Alleged Strip-Search and Detention in Hawaii
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Two German teenagers who had recently completed high school claimed that they were subjected to strip-searching and detention upon their arrival at the Honolulu airport during a world tour. Charlotte Pohl, 19, and Maria Lepère, 18, stated that they were questioned about their travel itinerary and freelance work before being informed that they would not be permitted entry into the United States. According to U.S. Customs & Border Patrol, the teenagers were accused of attempting to enter the country under false pretenses. The teens described their experience of immigration detention as “humiliating and scary.”
Pohl and Lepère had embarked on a global backpacking journey in March following their graduation. Upon their arrival in Honolulu from New Zealand on March 18, they encountered issues at passport control. An account shared on Reddit, which has since been removed, detailed how they were interviewed by immigration officials who inquired about their plans for their stay in the U.S. The girls had reserved an Airbnb for two nights but intended to keep their travel plans flexible, without any confirmed accommodation beyond that. They also did not have domestic flights booked within the U.S. for the duration of their trip.
The discovery that the teenagers occasionally undertook freelance work online seemed to raise concerns among officials, who suspected that they were planning to work illegally while in the U.S. The girls were then taken to a detention facility and informed that they would be required to leave the next day. Despite rearranging their flight to Tokyo, where they were headed next, they had to endure a distressing night in prison uniforms behind bars. The teens disclosed that they were subjected to a full strip search, an experience they described as degrading and frightening.
Following their ordeal, the girls spoke to German newspaper Ostsee-Zeitung, recounting their distressing night in the federal detention center in Honolulu. They shared details of sleeping on mouldy mattresses and being warned about expired food by guards. Reflecting on their experience, Lepère expressed feeling small and powerless, emphasizing how they had previously been unaware of the challenges faced by individuals in U.S. immigration facilities, highlighting a sense of naivety on their part.
Customs & Border Patrol Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham refuted the teenagers’ version of events, dismissing it as a “false narrative.” Beckham stated that the travellers were denied entry for allegedly attempting to enter under false pretences. One had a Visitor visa, while the other utilised the Visa Waiver Program, with both initially claiming they were touring California before disclosing their intention to work, a violation of their visa terms. The girls maintained that they shared their story to caution other travellers about potential challenges at U.S. borders.
The teenagers’ experience serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges travellers, especially young backpackers, may face when navigating immigration procedures in foreign countries. It highlights the importance of understanding visa regulations and being prepared to effectively communicate travel plans to officials to avoid misunderstandings and potential repercussions. The incident underscores the significance of being informed and proactive when embarking on international journeys to ensure a smoother and more secure travel experience.