The story appeared in a post (archived here) where it was published on Facebook on March 9, 2025. It opened:
Urgent Appeal: Help Bring Becky HomeOur daughter Becky, a 28-year-old British tourist, has been caught up in the recent immigration crackdown in the US. What was meant to be a life-changing four-month backpacking trip across North America has turned into a nightmare. Becky has now been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for over ten days, with no clear timeline for her release.On February 26th, Becky attempted to cross the Canadian border for the next leg of her journey. Unfortunately, due to an incorrect visa, she was denied entry into Canada. When she tried to return to the US, she was refused re-entry and classified as an "illegal alien." Despite being a tourist with no criminal record, she was handcuffed and taken to a detention facility in Tacoma, Washington.Becky's current conditions are deeply concerning. She is sharing a cell, surviving on a diet of cold rice, potatoes, and beans (she is vegan), and has limited access to phone calls. Visitors are restricted to speaking through a glass screen via telephone.
This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing:
(Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Mon Mar 10 17:12:24 2025 UTC)
On March 10, 2025, a UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson told Lead Stories via email, when asked specifically about Burke:
We are supporting a British national detained in the USA and are in contact with the local authorities.
Rebecca Burke, who is 28, describes herself on Instagram as an artist and "comic absorber/creator/admirer". Many of her past entries showed what appeared to be her graphic work.
It's unclear when Burke came to the U.S., but on February 6, 2025, she posted a compilation of videos showing her in such iconic locations as the ice rink in New York City's Central Park. The post's caption read:
Getting to know myself better with solo travelling.
The story was covered by the BBC (archived here) and the Guardian (archived here).
The articles cited Burke's father who said that in the U.S., his daughter lived with a host family occasionally doing some chores for them in exchange for accommodation. He compared the arrangement to a cultural exchange, but the authorities, according to the father, appeared to have considered it to be work.
A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency told Lead Stories on the same day that the agency doesn't disclose individual's border and immigration information due to the Privacy Act.
Lead Stories additionally contacted ICE for comments but did not receive an immediate response. This report will be updated, as appropriate, when ICE and other agencies reply.
Other Lead Stories fact checks about current events are here.
