1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The experience of the Swiss teacher at the U.S. border is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the treatment of foreign travelers under President Trump's harsh immigration policies. It's unacceptable for law-abiding visitors to be subjected to such dehumanizing treatment, invasive searches, and arbitrary detention without due process or access to legal counsel. While securing borders is important, the disturbing accounts of people being shackled, denied basic rights, and held in substandard conditions for weeks or months on mere suspicion are inexcusable violations of human rights. This heavy-handed approach, enabled by increased powers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has created an environment of fear and unpredictability that could deter legitimate travel and cultural exchange. I urge you to support legislation and oversight measures to rein in agency overreach and ensure accountability for any civil liberties violations. Customs procedures must balance security with respect for due process, human dignity, and America's historic role as a welcoming nation of immigrants. Allowing ICE to operate unrestrained and trample on the rights of visitors cannot be tolerated in a free society.