Germany has issued a fresh travel warning for its citizens planning trips to the United States after a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, urging visitors to exercise increased caution in several US cities.
The Federal Foreign Office updated its advisory on Tuesday in light of recent violence linked to immigration enforcement operations. German travellers are now being told to be vigilant, stay informed through local media, and avoid crowds where confrontations with security forces could occur.
The advisory follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by US federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, marking at least two such deadly confrontations in the city this month. The statement from Berlin also reiterated that visitors should “remain calm and follow the instructions of the authorities and local security forces.”
The German government’s updated travel advice highlights that demonstrations in Minneapolis and other cities have, at times, led to violent clashes with immigration and security authorities. “In Minneapolis and other cities, demonstrations have sometimes led to violent clashes with immigration and security authorities,” the advisory says, and encourages people to stay away from crowds where violence may break out.
The advisory is designed as a safety measure rather than a political statement, the ministry says, and is intended to give German travellers practical information for navigating the situation in the US. It also asks travellers to monitor local news and updates so they can adjust plans if needed.
Minneapolis has been at the centre of heightened tensions related to US immigration enforcement, with federal officers deployed as part of a broader operation that has sparked protests and public backlash. The recent death of Pretti has intensified scrutiny of these actions. Less than three weeks earlier, another US citizen, Renée Good, was killed by an ICE officer in the same city.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the “level of violence” in the United States following the shootings as “worrying”, and noted that authorities would need to clarify whether the use of lethal force was necessary. His comments reflect broader concern in Berlin over the incidents and the implications for people travelling abroad.
For now, the German Foreign Office’s advisory serves as a prompt for travellers to stay alert in public spaces, especially where large demonstrations or law enforcement activity is underway. Tourists planning to visit Minneapolis or other major US cities should follow official guidance from both German and local US authorities.
