After reading the following tidbits, my interest in foreign travel has abated.
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When detention becomes part of the processMost tourists are not detained for long, but detention does happen when officers believe a traveler may be inadmissible. In those cases, the person may be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
ICE held 68,289 people in detention across 212 facilities on February 7, 2026. The number reached 68,990 on January 7, 2026. Most of that growth involved people without criminal convictions who were flagged during border encounters.
That matters for tourists because a routine arrival can turn into a long delay, then into custody, and then into an expensive return trip home. Families often learn about the problem only after the traveler has already disappeared into the system.
How tourists can cut the risk before flying
Preparation helps. Travelers should carry printed copies of the passport, ESTA approval or visa details, return ticket, hotel reservation, proof of funds, and a letter from an employer or school if it helps show ties at home.