Rebecca Burke: Father of British backpacker being held in US says her ‘life-changing trip has turned into a nightmare’
The father of a British tourist being held in the US has told Sky News “what was meant to be a life-changing trip has turned into a nightmare”.
Rebecca Burke, 28, from Monmouthshire, was attempting to cross into Canada from the US when she ended up being handcuffed and taken to a detention facility due to an issue with her visa.
Ms Burke, who has been travelling since January, had a tourist visa for her backpacking trip around North America, but her entry into Canada – where she was planning to stay with a host family in exchange for food and accommodation – was rejected.
Canadian officials said she needed a working visa and sent Ms Burke back to the US – where she was then “taken by homeland security in handcuffs to a large detention centre”, her father Paul Burke said.
She has now been held in the Tacoma Northwest facility in Washington state for 14 days.
Rebecca researched for months before jetting off to the US and Canada
“We thought of all the countries in the world, two of the safest for a British tourist to go to would be the USA and Canada,” Mr Burke said during an interview on Sky News Breakfast. “What was meant to be life changing for her has turned into a nightmare.”
Mr Burke and his wife have been able to speak to their daughter daily, as she can make phone calls from a shared iPad.
They have become worried about Ms Burke’s health, as her vegan meals consist solely of cold rice and potatoes.
Paul Burke has fears for his daughter’s health
“We spoke to her last night and she said she had to go and see the medic because she’s got digestive problems,” Ms Burke said.
“We’ve got very kind people [in Washington] who have offered to visit her. They’ve said when they visit, she’s behind a glass screen and they have to talk to her on a telephone.
“I can’t believe a British tourist is being kept in these conditions.”
Ms Burke has been able to trade with other women in the centre
Ms Burke – a graphic artist – has been able to trade with other women in the centre to secure fresh fruit, her dad said.
“She’s trading portraits of the other women and the other women’s kids, in return for an orange or some other food,” he said. “In terms of how the other women are treating her, it really is a band of sisters working together. They’re taking care of each other.
“They’re all trying to help each other and support each other, which is one good thing.”
Rebecca Burke has been told it could take another 10 days for her case to be dealt with
It is unclear when Ms Burke’s case will be dealt with by US immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, who are “overloaded with cases” due to the US government’s blitz on immigration, her father said.
“The detention centres are being filled because of the crackdown,” Mr Burke continued. “Becky told us that her detention centre will be at capacity next week.”
More from Sky News:
Maradona medics to go on trial
Former Philippines president arrested
“She was told by the ICE officer, it could still be another 10 days [until her case is dealt with],” he continued. “Why can’t it be tomorrow? We just want her home.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting a British national detained in the USA and are in contact with the local authorities.”
A spokesperson for ICE said: “Rebecca Burke, 28, a citizen of the United Kingdom is detained by ICE at the Northwest ICE Processing Center related to the violation of the terms and conditions of her admission.
“All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and if found removable by final order, removal from the United States regardless of nationality.”
Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalised following a car crash in New Hampshire, a spokesperson for the former New York City mayor said.
Mr Giuliani suffered “a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg” when his vehicle was struck from behind while driving on a highway near Manchester on Saturday evening, according to Michael Ragusa, Mr Giuliani’s head of security.
“He sustained injuries but is in good spirits and recovering tremendously,” Mr Ragusa said in a statement on X, adding: “This was not a targeted attack.”
Mr Giuliani was in a rental car and “no one knew it was him”, according to Mr Ragusa.
His head of security said the 81-year-old had been “flagged down by a woman who was the victim of a domestic violence incident” and contacted police on her behalf. The crash shortly after was “random and unrelated” to the domestic violence incident, Mr Ragusa said.
Rudy Giuliani attended Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony in January. Pic: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool via Reuters
Mr Giuliani, who worked as an attorney for Donald Trump in his failed efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, is expected to be released from hospital in a few days.
His son, Andrew Giuliani, thanked people for reaching out after hearing about his father’s accident, writing on X: “Your prayers mean the world.”
“As a son, I can tell you that I’m honored to have a Dad that I can call the toughest SOB I’ve ever seen,” he added.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
US
US blocks Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials from United Nations’ annual meeting in New York
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials have been blocked from attending September’s annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has revoked the US visas of delegates from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), and denied others from applying for one.
It is the latest step by Donald Trump’s administration to target Palestinians with visa restrictions, and follows the suspension of a programme to allow injured children from Gaza to receive treatment in the US.
Mahmoud Abbas addressed the general assembly in 2024, but is barred from next month’s meeting. Pic: Reuters
“It is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace,” a statement from the US State Department said.
It added that, to be considered partners for peace, both groups “must consistently repudiate terrorism, and end incitement to terrorism in education, as required by US law and as promised by the PLO”.
Offensive will cause ‘intolerable deaths’
Several US allies, including France, Malta, and Australia have announced plans to recognise Palestine as a state at September’s United Nations General Assembly. Canada and the UK will too, unless Israel meets certain conditions.
Israel declared Gaza’s largest city a dangerous combat zone on Friday.
The army launched a planned offensive that has drawn international condemnation.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Thick smoke rises from Gaza City after Israeli strikes
Foreign ministers from Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain released a joint statement saying the military operations in Gaza City will cause “intolerable deaths of innocent Palestinian civilians”.
Gaza latest: Israel’s Gaza City offensive condemned
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering in Gaza City while enduring famine.
An Israeli armoured vehicle in northern Gaza on Friday. Pic: AP
Palestinians ride a truck carrying humanitarian aid in Gaza City. Pic: AP
The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Riyad Mansour, said Mr Abbas had planned to lead the delegation to the UN meetings and was expected to address the general assembly at the general debate, which begins on 23 September.
He was also expected to attend a high-level meeting co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia on 22 September about a two-state solution, a broad idea involving Israel coexisting with an independent Palestinian state.
The State of Palestine is an observer member of the UN, meaning it can speak at meetings but not vote on resolutions.
The State of Palestine cannot vote on UN resolutions. Pic: AP
US decision ‘contravenes international law’
The Palestinian Authority “expressed its deep regret and astonishment” at the visa decision, calling it “a violation of US commitments” as the host of the UN, and claiming it “contravenes international law”.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the world body would be seeking clarification in the “hope that this will be resolved”.
Hundreds of diplomats left when Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu began speaking at the general assembly in 2024. Pic: Reuters
The State Department said that the Palestinian Authority’s mission to the UN, comprising officials who are permanently based there, would not be included in the restrictions.
Under a 1947 UN agreement, the US is generally required to allow access for foreign diplomats to the UN in New York.
But Washington has said it can deny visas for security, extremism and foreign policy reasons.
Read more from Sky News:
Analysis: Israel is killing a lot of journalists
Hospitals ‘overwhelmed’ by malnutrition cases
Tony Blair meets Trump over Gaza
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
The death toll in Gaza has now risen to 63,025, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
It also reported five more malnutrition-related deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number during the war to 322, with 121 of them children.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment11 months agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024