USA. They stopped the tourist, put in chains like “Hannibal Lecter”

A 28-year-old tourist from Wales after she traveled around the United States with a backpack, she was detained and placed in a detection center. It was to be treated very badly there. Her parents talk about chains on the legs, chains on the waist and handcuffs. “She is not Hannibal Lecter,” they commented in an interview with the BBC. The American Federal Office for Immigration and Customs (ICE) referred to the matter.

Becky Burke returned to her home in Wales on Tuesday after she was deported from the detection center in the United States, in which she spent 19 days. Her parents Paul and Andrea Burke told BBC what happened to her.

She traveled around the USA, wanted to cross the border

On January 7 this year, the 28-year-old started a journey with a backpack in the United States. She stayed with American families, at whom she cleaned and helped in other household duties, and in exchange she could sleep with them. At the end of February, she reached the border with Canada, planning a trip to Vancouver, where she was to stay with another family. However, the Canadian border guard refused to enter her, explaining that she was afraid that he would work in their country, and he could not do it with a tourist visa. She heard that she was considered what she was doing at the families with whom she stops. It was forbidden to enter and transferred to officers of the American Federal Office for immigration and enforcement of customs (ICE). She, in turn, placed her at the Detective Center in Tacoma, Washington.

28-year-old about staying in a detection center

The 28-year-old in an interview with the BBC said that the center was “overflowed” and she was placed in the room with 110 other people. – They woke us up every day at 6:30. There was never enough time for sleep. It was very cold – she said. “I wore the same sweater for a week,” she added. “The clothes were too small, just like blankets,” she continued. She emphasized that many people she met “got stuck” in the center were separated with their families. In some cases even for years.

On Monday, Welsh was taken from the detention center at the airport, from which it was to be carried out on board the aircraft flying to Wales. Her parents Paul and Andrea Burke told the BBC that they were shocked when the daughter told them that during transport “she had leg chains, waist chains and handcuffs (in her arms)”. “She is not Hannibal Lecter,” they said, referring to the film character of the serial killer played by Anthony Hopkins.

“Very emotional”

The 28-year-old parents also told about the emotions that accompanied them when they waited for their daughter at the airport on Tuesday. “These were great emotions,” said Andrea Burke. – We were really like on high heels, we just stuck at the door, which seemed to be eternity. When we saw her passing through the goal, everything we suppressed in ourselves found an outlet. It was a surreal day – she continued.

In turn, Paul Burke announced that he would take steps so that anyone else would happen to what happened to his daughter. “There are many things that we have to deal with through political channels to make sure that it won't happen to anyone else,” he said.

The Federal Office for Immigration and Enforcement of Customs (ICE) issued a statement in this matter in which he speaks of “violation of American law.” “All foreigners violating American immigration law may be arrested, detained (…) and expelled from the United States regardless of citizenship,” he stated.

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