Cartoonist R.E. Burke Detained by ICE While on Backpacking Trip

 

Above from R.E. Burke's Instagram.

I have just heard about British cartoonist R.E. Burke who has been in an ICE holding cell in Tacoma, WA since February 26th. Here's Heidi MacDonald writing it today:

"British cartoonist R.E. (Becky) Burke was on a four month backpacking trip around North America but has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Her father, Paul Burke posted an appeal for help on Facebook. Burke attempted to cross over into Canada from the US on February 26th, but was denied because of a visa issue, and after returning to the US was arrested as an 'illegal alien. and is now in detention in Tacoma.

"Burke is known in the comics community, setting up at Thought Bubble, writing for Broken Frontier and making some pretty good comics. Her Instagram is as typical and normal as a cartoonists IG can be, including some now devastating photos of the earlier carefree good times on her trip. Her last post was about the joys of travel.

"Her father writes:

Urgent Appeal: Help Bring Becky Home

Our 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. All her possessions have been confiscated, and she feels isolated and desperate to come home.

We are doing everything we can. Our local MP has contacted David Lammy’s office, and we are in touch with the British Consulate in London and San Francisco. An American friend is helping by sending funds to her inmate account so she can buy basic necessities like tea and milk. However, progress has been slow, and we urgently need more support.

We are asking for your help. Please share Becky’s story widely through your networks. We hope to connect with experts, legal professionals, or anyone who can offer advice or assistance. Becky is a kind, adventurous young woman who simply wants to return home to her family.

Thank you for your support.

 

"Without know[ing] the details of her case (or why a UK citizen was denied entry into Canada), I’d hazard a guess that any mention of making comics might have set off ICE enforcers with the idea she was here to work. And also, maybe it goes without saying, but the days of merrily traveling around North America (i.e. January 19th and before) are over. We’ve anecdotally heard about other cartoonists are are afraid to come to the US for shows and this story won’t do anything to calm fears.

"Becky’s story has been shared thousands of times, and on BlueSky, and more journalists are getting involved, as are offers of legal advice, so the story is sure to get more traction in the coming days. We’ll update as more details become available.

"In the meantime, check out her delightful comics – and we hope she gets help soon and gets home safely." 

 

Dreadful news and I hope that Becky is able to return home this week. This seems like an awful misunderstanding, but one that will have consequences with fewer cartoonists being willing to risk US travel.