British tourists were told they could risk being detained by American authorities should they not have up to date visas or other documentation needed to enter the country

British tourists looking forward to a getaway Stateside have been warned they could face a grilling by US border officials amid Donald Trump’s crackdown on foreign visitors.

Tourists could face “enhanced vetting” as Mr Trump has ordered an immigration crackdown with more aggressive methods being used to question legal immigrants and holidaygoers. There have been claims people have been turned away for expressing negative views of the Republican president.

A French scientist set to attend a conference in Houston, Texas, on March 9, was detained and held for more than a day before being sent back home after immigration officials reportedly found messages critical of Mr Trump. But the next day the version of events was challenged by the Department of Homeland Security, which accused him of having taken confidential information from a New Mexico laboratory.

British tourist Rebecca Burke, 28, from Monmouthshire, was detained for 19 days at a US facility before being deported amid a visa error. Her father Paul was concerned about travellers entering the US, adding she was led to an airport in chains and handcuffs.

Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney was detained by immigration enforcement agency ICE while she tried to make her way from Mexico to San Diego, California, after her work visa was revoked in November. The ‘American Pie: The Book of Love’ star told ABC10 about the condition of other women who were held.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said. “I feel like we have been kidnapped, and we are in some sort of insane social, psychological, social experiment.”

She added: “I really want to be a voice for the women in here, because what is happening is so unjust and I know that there’s a better way to do this.” Concerns over traveller safety has led several European countries to update their travel guidance for the US.

The UK Foreign Office warned of a risk of arrest following Ms Burke’s detention. It stated: “To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) or a visa. The US State Department has more information on visas.”

The US government said on its website: “The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.”

Mr Trump vowed to clamp down on illegal entry into the US while he was out on the campaign trail and he has ordered the deportations of people who he claimed were in the US illegally. But the move has proven controversial as Venezuelans deported amid claims they were part of gangs have been challenged by their family members as well as officials from the country.