British tourist who was detained at Tacoma’s ICE facility reunites with family in Wales
A tourist from the United Kingdom who was detained at Tacoma’s immigration detention center after being denied entry into Canada has returned home to her family.
Becky Burke, 28, of Wales was held in the detention center for 19 days after being detained during a months-long trip that began Jan. 7. She traveled from New York to Portland to Seattle, according to the BBC, which spoke to her father, Paul Burke.
During her stay in Portland, Becky Burke, an artist, stayed with a number of families and helped with household chores in return for housing, the BBC reported. Becky Burke was planning to stay with a host family in Vancouver, B.C., before she was detained at the northern border.
Paul Burke told the BBC that Canadian officials denied his daughter entry because they were concerned she would try to work illegally. Becky Burke was then questioned by American officials, and she was told that she violated her travel visa, the BBC report said.
A spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed on March 11 that a citizen of the United Kingdom, Rebecca Burke, 28, was detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma related to the violation of the terms and conditions of her admission, according to a News Tribune report.
During an emotional reunion at Heathrow Airport with family and friends, Paul Burke told BBC Wales “the nightmare is over.” He also said it would take some time for his daughter to recover from the “traumatic experience.”
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 4:11 PM.
