German Teens Deported Amid U.S. Immigration Scrutiny

Two German teenagers, Charlotte Pohl and Maria Lepère, were detained and deported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after arriving in Honolulu with a loosely planned five-week itinerary, including only a few nights of pre-booked accommodation and no domestic flights. Despite holding valid ESTA approvals, officers suspected the teens of intending to work illegally in the U.S., particularly after they disclosed doing freelance online work for non-U.S. clients. The teenagers underwent hours of interrogation, strip searches, and spent the night in a holding cell with other detainees before being deported to Japan at their request. The German Foreign Office provided consular support and emphasized that ESTA approval does not guarantee entry, as final admission is at the discretion of border officials. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of tourists and the implications of tightening U.S. immigration policies. The teenagers have since warned other travelers about the risks of flexible travel plans.