These stories usually have some non-trivial factor that is missing in the article. In this case there's a small visible red flag: the two tourists are British but traveling on B visas, rather than using the visa waiver program. Why? Well according the DHS they both have multi-year overstays in the US.
This doesn't justify the detention they went through. But it also means the lesson of the story is not "random tourists are being detained".
The article clearly says only Bill had overstayed, not Karen. "Bill’s US visa had expired; Karen’s had not.".
The B2 visa seems to be because the length of the trip exceeded the ESTA limit, "over two months", perhaps the original plan had been for a longer trip.
The sad thing is that you believe what DHS has to say about absolutely anything, especially after Alex Pretti has proven them in death to be complete liars.
Yes, because a DHS statement, published on Twitter of all places, isn't going to be propaganda. I can't think of any instances of them blatantly lying even against their own video evidence in, like, at least a week. /s
returningfory2|6 days ago
This doesn't justify the detention they went through. But it also means the lesson of the story is not "random tourists are being detained".
Symbiote|6 days ago
The B2 visa seems to be because the length of the trip exceeded the ESTA limit, "over two months", perhaps the original plan had been for a longer trip.
queenkjuul|2 days ago
everfrustrated|6 days ago
See this for more balance https://x.com/DHSgov/status/2025975226002018309
ThePowerOfFuet|6 days ago
psadauskas|6 days ago