Terrified dad of Brit held in Trump immigration crackdown over ‘visa error’ says ‘we need her home NOW’ amid health fear

WATCH the heart-wrenching moment the dad of a British tourist held in the US over a visa mix-up says he "just wants her home".

Paul Burke raised concerns about his daughter's health in an interview with Sky News.

Becky Burke, 28, was detained fourteen days ago at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing centre in Washington state.

Becky tried to enter Canada - where she was planning to stay with a host family in exchange for food and accommodation - but was denied entry due to an "incorrect visa".

Canadian officials said she needed a working visa and sent Becky back to the US.

But when she returned she was refused re-entry and "taken by homeland security in handcuffs to a large detention centre".

Paul said: "We thought of all the countries in the world, two of the safest for a British tourist to go to would be the USA and Canada. 

"What was meant to be a life-changing four-month backpacking trip across North America has turned into a nightmare."

Becky has been able to speak to her family daily, as she can make calls from a shared iPad.

But her parents raised concerns about her health as her vegan meals consist mainly of "cold rice, potatoes and beans".

Becky's mum said: "We spoke to her last night and she said she had to go and see the medic because she's got digestive problems."

Becky's family is not American which means they cannot add money to her inmate account for her to buy essentials.

Paul said that Becky has resorted to trading with other women in the centre to secure fresh fruit.

He said: "She's trading portraits of the other women and the other women's kids, in return for an orange or some other food.

"In terms of how the other women are treating her, it really is a band of sisters working together. They're taking care of each other.

"They're all trying to help each other and support each other, which is one good thing."

Paul said it is unclear when Becky's case will be dealt with by ICE as they are "overloaded with cases" due to Trump's crackdown on immigration.

He said: "The detention centres are being filled because of the crackdown.

"Becky told us that her detention centre will be at capacity next week."

He continued: "She was told by the ICE officer, it could still be another 10 days [until her case is dealt with].

"Why can't it be tomorrow? We just want her home."

Becky is being held in the Tacoma Northwest facility in Washington state.

The graphic artist from Wales was on a four-month backpacking trip across North America.

Becky shared photos and comic sketches about her travels to her Instagram account.

She posted reels of herself ice-skating in Manhattan's Central Park, running across a beach and trekking through a pine forest

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "We are supporting a British national detained in the USA and are in contact with the local authorities."

A spokesperson for ICE said: "Rebecca Burke, 28, a citizen of the United Kingdom is detained by ICE at the Northwestern ICE Processing Center related to the violation of the terms and conditions of her admission.

"All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States regardless of nationality."