Germany has issued an unusually sharp travel warning for parts of the United States after federal agents fatally shot a protester in Minneapolis for the second time in as many months, urging German citizens to exercise “increased caution,” avoid protest areas and be prepared for rapidly changing security conditions in major American cities.

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Berlin Updates Guidance After Second Fatal Federal Shooting

The German Federal Foreign Office quietly updated its online travel advice for the United States on Monday, January 26, following the death of 27 year old Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation linked to the ongoing federal campaign known as Operation Metro Surge. The new language highlights what officials describe as “violent clashes with immigration and security authorities” in Minneapolis and several other urban centers.

While the United States remains listed as a standard destination without a formal destination wide warning, the ministry has carved out a targeted alert that singles out Minneapolis and notes the potential for protests to escalate quickly when federal agents are deployed. Travelers are urged to “stay informed via local media, be vigilant and stay away from crowds where violence could potentially break out,” a wording that German officials typically reserve for countries experiencing acute political unrest.

The move comes after weeks of protests over aggressive federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, where local authorities and community groups have clashed with federal teams conducting large scale raids aimed at detaining undocumented migrants. Witnesses and rights advocates say confrontations around federal facilities and improvised checkpoints have become increasingly volatile, culminating in two protesters shot dead and a third detainee dying in custody in less than two months.

German consular staff in the Midwest are understood to be in close contact with local authorities as they track both protest schedules and federal operations, although Berlin has not issued any evacuation orders or discouragement of essential travel.

Chancellor Merz Calls Level of U.S. Violence “Worrying”

Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave unusually direct public backing to the tougher wording in the travel notice, telling reporters in Hamburg that he found the “level of violence” in the United States “worrying” in light of the Minneapolis incidents. He urged a thorough investigation by U.S. authorities into whether deadly force was necessary in both shootings and what threat was posed to federal officers at the time.

Merz, a conservative leader who has generally maintained cordial relations with Washington, is not known for emotive criticism of allied governments. His choice to highlight the American situation in domestic remarks underlines how the Minneapolis shootings have broken through to the German public, where memories of previous U.S. protest violence, including during the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations, already shape perceptions of American internal security.

According to German media reports, the chancellor was briefed by Foreign Office and intelligence officials over the weekend as they assessed whether the unrest could spread beyond the Twin Cities and whether German nationals had been affected. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of German citizens injured in connection with the protests or federal operations, though consulates have fielded inquiries from concerned families and tour operators.

Government insiders in Berlin say the decision to update the advisory was partly driven by the appearance of firearms and armored vehicles at protest sites, images that have resonated strongly in a country with restrictive gun laws and a long running public debate over police use of force. Officials are also sensitive to the potential political fallout at home if a German tourist were caught up in a violent confrontation abroad after prior warnings from rights groups went unheeded.

Operation Metro Surge and the Minneapolis Flashpoint

The immediate trigger for the heightened concern is Operation Metro Surge, an intensive immigration enforcement campaign launched in December 2025 that initially targeted Minneapolis Saint Paul before expanding across Minnesota. Run jointly by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and related agencies, the operation has resulted in thousands of arrests and a visible federal presence in several working class neighborhoods.

Federal officials say the initiative is aimed at apprehending undocumented migrants with criminal records and those who have ignored deportation orders. Activists, faith groups and some city leaders argue that the raids have been conducted with little transparency, sowing fear in immigrant communities and encouraging racial profiling. Street protests, vigils and attempts to block transport vans have become frequent around key federal facilities and along known enforcement routes.

It was during two such confrontations that federal officers opened fire on protesters in separate incidents, killing 34 year old community organizer Renée Good in early January and, more recently, Pretti outside a Minneapolis light industrial park. In both cases, officials have said the victims posed an imminent threat and that investigations are underway. Witness accounts and partial video footage widely shared on social media have fueled counterclaims that officers escalated too quickly.

For foreign governments watching the situation from afar, the lethal outcomes are less about the disputed details of each incident and more about the pattern they suggest. The German advisory frames the risk in terms of “violent clashes” that can draw in bystanders without warning, particularly in dense urban environments where protests and enforcement actions overlap with daily life, shopping districts and transit hubs frequented by visitors.

What the German Warning Actually Says for Travelers

Despite the intensified rhetoric, Berlin has stopped short of urging Germans to cancel trips to the United States. The updated advisory instead focuses on behavior, recommending that visitors to Minneapolis and any other cities experiencing large demonstrations adjust their itineraries, monitor local news and avoid certain activities that might place them at risk near federal operations.

Travelers are advised to stay away from protest marches, rallies and counter demonstrations, even if these events appear peaceful at the outset. The Foreign Office text explicitly warns that situations can change rapidly, citing recent cases where gatherings that began as candlelight vigils evolved into tense standoffs with heavily armed officers as federal teams moved in to execute warrants or disperse crowds around courthouses and detention centers.

The guidance also discourages filming or live streaming active law enforcement scenes, a practice common among tourists and social media users that has, in some instances, drawn confrontational responses from officers. Instead, visitors are told to “remain calm and follow the instructions of the authorities and local security forces,” carry identification at all times and familiarize themselves with the location of their consulate or embassy before joining any public assembly.

While U.S. domestic law applies, German officials have signaled that they expect their nationals to be treated proportionately if they inadvertently wander into restricted areas or checkpoints. Nonetheless, the advisory underlines that U.S. border and security agents retain broad discretionary powers and that non citizens taking part in civil disobedience or obstructing federal operations could face detention, fines or deportation.

Impact on Tourism and Transatlantic Perceptions

The timing of the travel warning is awkward for a U.S. tourism industry that has been slowly rebuilding European visitor numbers after the pandemic and various policy shocks. Germany is traditionally one of the largest sources of long haul tourists to the United States, with travelers drawn to national parks, coastal cities and major cultural hubs such as New York, Miami and San Francisco. Minneapolis, while not among the top leisure destinations, serves as an important air gateway and conference city.

German tour operators report that bookings to the United States have already been under pressure for more than a year, citing concerns about complicated entry procedures, shifting visa rules and broader unease over polarized politics and gun violence. Industry analysts say a prominent warning that explicitly references fatal shootings by federal officers is likely to amplify those worries, particularly for city break packages or itineraries that include multiple urban stops.

Corporate travel managers are also watching developments closely. Some German companies with offices or partners in the Midwest have introduced temporary internal guidance telling employees to avoid non essential trips to Minneapolis or to schedule meetings in suburban locations away from protest hotspots. International conferences and trade shows slated for downtown venues may see lower European attendance if the unrest continues into the spring.

The United States, for its part, continues to maintain its own standing advisory for travel to Germany at a relatively moderate level, focused largely on the risk of terrorism and occasional protest disruptions in major cities. The asymmetry between Washington’s broadly framed concerns and Berlin’s pointed focus on Minneapolis underscores how domestic debates over security and civil liberties can strain perceptions even among close allies.

How U.S. Authorities and Local Leaders Are Responding

Federal officials in the United States have so far defended Operation Metro Surge and the conduct of the officers involved in the Minneapolis shootings while acknowledging the political sensitivity of the incidents. Statements from immigration and homeland security agencies emphasize the legal mandates underpinning the raids and vow full cooperation with internal investigations and, where applicable, reviews by independent inspectors general.

Local leaders in Minneapolis find themselves walking a tightrope between cooperation with federal law enforcement and responding to community outrage. City and state officials have called for transparent inquiries into both shootings, with some urging temporary pauses or geographic limits on federal operations in densely populated neighborhoods. Others, particularly within law and order focused constituencies, argue that curtailing federal efforts would embolden criminal networks and undermine immigration law.

For foreign observers and travelers, what matters less is the granular jurisdictional debate and more the visible outcome on the streets: a city where, on certain days, heavily armed officers, armored vehicles and chanting crowds share the same intersections. It is this visual tableau that is informing Germany’s risk assessments and those of other European governments quietly reassessing their own guidance for U.S. trips, even if they have not yet issued formal statements.

Diplomatic contacts between Washington and Berlin on the issue remain largely behind closed doors, according to officials in both capitals. Publicly, the U.S. State Department has reiterated that America remains safe for visitors overall and that millions of tourists travel without incident each year. Privately, however, there is an awareness that repeated scenes of deadly force at protests can erode the country’s global image as a stable and predictable destination, especially when videos spread instantly worldwide.

What Travelers of All Nationalities Should Consider Now

Although Germany’s advisory is aimed at its own citizens, many of its practical recommendations are broadly applicable to travelers from any country considering visits to Minneapolis or other U.S. cities currently experiencing heightened federal enforcement. The core message is not to avoid the United States entirely but to travel with a sharper awareness of where and how protests, immigration operations and routine tourism intersect.

Visitors are encouraged to check both their home government’s travel advice and local city resources before departure, paying attention to any neighborhoods repeatedly mentioned in connection with raids or demonstrations. Once on the ground, travelers can reduce risk by avoiding spontaneous gatherings, steering clear of federal buildings during announced protest times and not lingering near heavily policed intersections, even out of curiosity.

Travel insurance providers may also look more closely at how policies treat civil unrest and interactions with law enforcement. While standard policies typically cover medical emergencies arising from unforeseen events, some exclude incidents that occur during participation in protests or in restricted security zones. Policyholders planning U.S. trips that include politically active cities may wish to review the fine print or discuss additional coverage with their insurers.

Ultimately, Germany’s move serves as a reminder that reputational damage from domestic law enforcement controversies does not stop at national borders. In a hyper connected era, the images from Minneapolis inform not only foreign policy debates but also everyday decisions by families choosing where to spend their holidays or by students deciding which country feels safe enough for a semester abroad.

FAQ

Q1: Has Germany advised its citizens to stop traveling to the United States altogether?
Germany has not called for a halt to travel to the United States. The updated advisory urges increased caution, especially in Minneapolis and other cities experiencing protests and federal immigration operations, but regular tourism and business trips are still permitted.

Q2: Why is Minneapolis specifically mentioned in the German travel warning?
Minneapolis is singled out because it has been the focal point of Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement campaign, and the site of two recent fatal shootings of protesters by federal officers, as well as repeated clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

Q3: What practical steps are German travelers being told to take in the U.S.?
German visitors are advised to stay away from protests and large political gatherings, monitor local news, avoid filming or approaching active law enforcement operations, carry identification at all times and calmly follow instructions from police or federal officers if stopped.

Q4: Does the warning affect travel insurance or legal protections for German tourists?
The advisory itself does not automatically change insurance coverage or legal rights, but it may influence how insurers view claims linked to civil unrest. Travelers are encouraged to review their policies, especially clauses related to protests, riots or interactions with security forces.

Q5: Are other European countries issuing similar advisories about the United States?
Several European governments have in recent years updated their guidance on travel to the United States, often citing concerns over gun violence, immigration enforcement and political tensions. Germany’s latest move on Minneapolis is among the more pointed recent examples and could prompt others to revisit their own language.

Q6: How have U.S. authorities responded to Germany’s updated advisory?
U.S. officials continue to stress that the country remains safe for visitors overall and that the vast majority of trips occur without incident. At the same time, federal agencies say they are reviewing the Minneapolis shootings through internal and, where applicable, independent investigations.

Q7: Is it safe for tourists to visit downtown Minneapolis right now?
Many parts of Minneapolis, including key cultural and commercial areas, remain calm and open for business. However, travelers are advised to avoid districts where protests and federal raids have been concentrated, especially in the evenings, and to follow local guidance on any planned demonstrations.

Q8: Could the German travel warning be escalated into a broader advisory on the United States?
If violence were to spread significantly or if more incidents involving foreign nationals occurred, Berlin could strengthen its language or expand the warning beyond specific cities. For now, officials describe the current alert as a targeted measure tied to recent events in Minneapolis and similar hotspots.

Q9: What should travelers do if they unexpectedly encounter a protest or raid?
Travelers who find themselves near a sudden protest or enforcement action should move away calmly, avoid arguing with officers or protesters, refrain from filming or posting live footage and seek shelter in a nearby business or hotel until the situation stabilizes.

Q10: Where can travelers find the most current information before and during their trip?
German citizens should consult the Federal Foreign Office’s official travel and security information before departure and during their stay, and can register contact details with their embassy or consulate. Travelers of all nationalities should also monitor local news and city government channels for updates on protests and public safety alerts.