Key Takeaways
• Two German teens were detained and deported in Hawaii for lacking fixed accommodation and mentioning remote work.
• ESTA does not guarantee U.S. entry; border officials can deny access based on vague travel plans or suspected work intentions.
• Travelers faced strip searches, jail conditions, and received interrogation records with disputed statements before flying to Japan.
Two German Teen Girls, Charlotte Pohl and Maria Lepere, set out on what was meant to be an adventure of a lifetime: backpacking in Hawaii as part of a round-the-world trip. Aged just 19 and 18, these young travelers had valid papers and plenty of enthusiasm. However, their trip took a sudden and harsh turn as soon as they stepped off the plane in Honolulu. Their experience has captured the attention of travelers and immigration experts worldwide, forcing many to rethink how flexible travel can sometimes be at odds with strict border policies.
The Arrival in Hawaii
Charlotte and Maria arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii 🇺🇸 from Auckland, New Zealand. They had filled out the necessary paperwork under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program using ESTA—the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This travel permit is popular for tourists wishing to enter the United States 🇺🇸 for short visits without needing a regular visa.
Their plan was simple: spend five weeks backpacking through Hawaii 🇺🇸, then continue on to California and Costa Rica 🇨🇷. But their relaxed backpacker approach would soon create difficulty. The two German teen girls had only booked accommodation for the first two nights of their stay, planning to figure out the rest as their journey unfolded. They did not have hotel bookings for the rest of their stay or any onward domestic flights—choices common among backpackers, but not always understood by immigration officials.
Why Were They Stopped?
As soon as the girls reached the border control area, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers questioned them. The lack of a fixed itinerary raised suspicions. More importantly, the girls mentioned they sometimes did freelance work online for clients outside the United States 🇺🇸. This honest answer proved to be a big problem.
CBP officers saw the situation differently. They believed the young women might try to work illegally while in the country, even though the girls explained that any work they did was completely for clients outside U.S. borders—and that they had no plans to accept work from American companies. Despite these efforts to clear up misunderstandings, the decision was made: the German teen girls were declared “inadmissible.”
Escalation and Detainment
After being told they could not enter, Charlotte and Maria’s experience quickly became much more frightening. Officers put them in handcuffs and took their passports and phones away. The two travelers were driven to a federal detention center near the airport.
Inside the holding facility, the girls’ ordeal continued. They underwent full-body scans and strip searches by female officers. According to reports, they were made to put on green prison uniforms and spend the night in cold cells. Other detainees in the facility were reportedly being held for serious crimes. The mattress they slept on was described as thin and, in some cases, moldy. The basic toilet facilities and access to food—some of which had signs warning it might be expired—left the teenagers feeling alone and anxious.
This kind of treatment is not what most tourists expect when they enter another country, especially if they believe their paperwork is in order. But, as highlighted later by officials, having a travel approval like ESTA does not guarantee you will be allowed in.
The Deportation Process
The next day, Charlotte and Maria were again placed in handcuffs and driven back to the airport. By this time, their families and Germany’s Foreign Office had been informed about what was happening. The girls requested, and were granted, permission to fly to Japan 🇯🇵 instead of directly back to New Zealand 🇳🇿. They received their passports and, to their surprise, interrogation transcripts that they had never seen before.
It was here, the girls claim, that their troubles became even more concerning. The provided documents, supposedly containing their official statements during questioning, included sentences they insisted they had never said—including what appeared to be an admission that they planned to work illegally in the United States 🇺🇸. Charlotte said, “They twisted it to make it seem as if we admitted that we wanted to work illegally in the US.”
Consular Support and U.S. Border Policy
Germany’s Foreign Office was involved during the detention, providing support to the girls. The Foreign Office also reminded the public—and especially German citizens considering travel to the United States 🇺🇸—that ESTA authorization is only permission to travel to a port of entry. It is not a guarantee you will be allowed into the country. The final decision always belongs to the border official you meet when you arrive.
That means no matter how careful your preparations, officers still have the power to deny entry for several reasons. The most common include:
- Lack of a fixed travel plan or hotel bookings for the entire visit.
- Evidence or suspicion that you might work while inside the United States 🇺🇸—even if that work is remote and for foreign clients.
- Any information in your background or answers during questioning that does not match what is considered normal for tourists.
These reasons are not secret. U.S. Customs and Border Protection explains the rules about travel, work, and entry on their official website for the Visa Waiver Program, which every traveler should read carefully before making travel plans.
How the Incident Affected Travel Communities
The arrest and deportation of these two young German teen girls made headlines worldwide and sparked discussions among backpackers, tourists, and immigration professionals. As reported by VisaVerge.com, stories like this highlight how flexible travel habits common among European backpackers are sometimes misunderstood by border agents trained to spot anything out of the ordinary. Many travelers say their choice to “go with the flow” and book hotels along the way is seen as “unplanned” or “suspicious” at borders like those of the United States 🇺🇸.
Online forums, travel blogs, and social media groups quickly picked up the news. Messages warning backpackers to be careful circulated widely:
“Be very careful if you plan to backpack in the US… It’s not just ‘denied entry’ — it’s jail, strip search…”
Travelers who once viewed Hawaii 🇺🇸 as a dream destination have begun seeking advice on how to document their itineraries or avoid mention of any remote work when entering the country.
Legal and Practical Considerations for Backpackers
This story isn’t just about two people. Many backpackers travel with loose plans and work remotely, thinking as long as their clients are from outside the United States 🇺🇸, there will be no problems. However, U.S. immigration law is very strict.
Travelers must remember that under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), the activities you can do are limited. The main purpose for using ESTA is tourism, certain types of business meetings, or transiting through the United States 🇺🇸. Any kind of work, even for companies outside the United States 🇺🇸, is likely to be seen as violating the rules.
This is not limited only to the United States 🇺🇸. Many other countries prohibit entry by non-citizens who intend to work remotely without the correct visa—even if the customers are in another country. Google searches for government travel and entry policies can save a lot of trouble. Official U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines clearly advise travelers against any form of work during their stay under the VWP, as outlined on their official website.
What Can Other Travelers Learn?
For backpackers, especially those from countries like Germany 🇩🇪 where flexible travel is common, this case is a wake-up call. Young people on gap years, college students, and solo travelers often prefer not to book every hotel and train ahead of time. While this is common practice in many places, border officials in Hawaii 🇺🇸 and elsewhere in the United States 🇺🇸 may see lack of plans as a warning sign.
You should consider:
- Booking at least the first week (or ideally your entire stay) for hotels or accommodations in advance.
- Having a printed or digital itinerary showing planned travel routes.
- Clearly demonstrating that you have enough money to support yourself during your visit, so there is no doubt you do not need to work.
- Avoiding any mention of remote work, even if for non-U.S. clients, since this can be misunderstood.
- Knowing your rights: If denied, you have the right to contact your country’s embassy or consulate for help right away.
Travel groups now often share lists of what changed after stories like this, including how immigration officers’ expectations can differ from what travelers do day-to-day.
Treatment in Detention: Human Rights or Necessary Procedure?
A major talking point following this incident is the way travelers, especially women and young adults, are treated when authorities suspect a violation—even when no crime has been committed. Strip searches, cold jail cells, expired food, and handcuffs are not things most would expect for suspected visa issues.
Some argue that these tough measures are needed to keep the country safe or to maintain strict rules. Others say that treating tourists this way, especially those as young as Charlotte and Maria, goes too far. In this case, the girls spent only a short time in detention, but the emotional and psychological impact could last much longer.
Although every country has the right to set its own border rules, many travelers and legal experts want more balance between careful enforcement and respectful treatment. This is especially important for young people, women traveling alone, or those who make honest mistakes.
What Do Officials Say About ESTA and Entry Rights?
The U.S. government is very clear: having an approved ESTA is not the same as having the right to enter the United States 🇺🇸. Travelers often misunderstand this, thinking that approval means guaranteed entry. Only the border agent you meet when you arrive can make the final decision to let you in. If something about your answers, travel plan, or paperwork seems unusual, you can be denied. And, as Charlotte and Maria’s case shows, you might be detained while arrangements for your removal are made.
As noted by Germany’s Foreign Office, the experience of the German teen girls should remind all travelers that the final decision on entry rests with U.S. officials at the port of entry.
The Impact on International Travel Trends
Stories like Charlotte’s and Maria’s are reshaping how other backpackers, especially those from Europe, view trips to the United States 🇺🇸—and to places like Hawaii 🇺🇸 in particular. Flexible travel, often promoted in backpacking communities, may now seem risky to many. The growth of digital work and “work from anywhere” jobs adds another layer of confusion. Even remote work done on personal laptops for non-U.S. clients can be treated as grounds for denial.
Some travelers may now avoid mentioning any form of work and keep travel plans more traditional and well-documented. Others wonder if the bureaucratic hurdles and tough penalties are worth it, instead opting for destinations where border policies are less strict or more suited to flexible tourism.
The Importance of Preparation for Backpackers
If you’re thinking about backpacking to Hawaii 🇺🇸 or any part of the United States 🇺🇸, preparation is key. Make sure your travel documents, accommodation bookings, and proof of return are ready and easy to show. If you do remote work, study the rules carefully—better yet, avoid discussing it at all unless you have the right visa.
As analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests, being open and honest may not be enough if your travel plan does not match what officers expect. The safest approach is to be over-prepared, not under-prepared.
To stay updated with official policies, always refer to the U.S. Department of State’s traveler page or U.S. Customs and Border Protection before finalizing your journey.
Conclusion
The experience faced by two German teen girls backpacking in Hawaii 🇺🇸 serves as a powerful lesson for other travelers: even with valid documents and honest intentions, your trip can take an unexpected turn at the border. Strict entry policies, misunderstanding flexible travel plans, and even the subject of remote online work can lead to arrest, detention, and deportation.
By learning from incidents like this, travelers can better prepare—and stay safer—while exploring the world. At the same time, countries like the United States 🇺🇸 must balance security with respectful treatment for all visitors, especially young people eager to discover new places. This story underscores the importance of both personal caution and fair immigration policy as global travel trends continue to change.
Learn Today
ESTA → Electronic travel authorization for eligible travelers visiting the United States temporarily, part of the Visa Waiver Program, not a guarantee of entry.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) → A U.S. system allowing citizens from certain countries to travel for up to 90 days without a visa.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) → The U.S. agency responsible for border security, customs, and deciding traveler admissibility at entry ports.
Inadmissible → A determination by border officials that a traveler does not meet legal requirements to enter the country.
Remote Work → Performing paid professional activities for clients or employers while not present in their physical location, often online.
This Article in a Nutshell
When two German teens backpacked into Hawaii, their open travel plans and mention of remote work led to alarming detention and deportation. Their ordeal spotlights strict U.S. border enforcement, showing how casual travel habits conflict with rigorous immigration rules—especially under the Visa Waiver Program. Preparation and caution are now essential.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• A Simple Guide to Hawaiian Airlines Customer Service Options
• Alaska Airlines’ Companion Fare now valid on Hawaiian Airlines flights
• Delta and American Airlines Add More Flights to Hawaii
• American Airlines Restarts Long-Haul Flights to Hawaii
• Hawaii Farmer Wrongly Detained by ICE Sparks Apology and Tough Questions
