Rebecca Burke, a British tourist, was detained and deported from the US after admitting to performing housework in exchange for accommodation, violating her ESTA's terms. This incident, while gaining media attention, highlights existing immigration rules rather than changes under the current administration.
Similar cases, such as a German national refused entry for intending to play guitar at open-mic nights and a Canadian woman banned for wrestling, occurred under previous administrations.
Immigration lawyer Steven D Heller emphasizes that the laws haven't changed, but enforcement priorities have. He advises careful adherence to ESTA terms, emphasizing that any activity potentially construed as work, paid or unpaid, carries significant risk.
The article briefly mentions another case, that of Jessica Brösche, who was detained for six weeks, though details are limited.