Retreating from America

The Gathering Elsewhere: Why Company Offsites, Retreats and Destination Weddings Are Leaving the U.S

Detained at the Gate: Why Retreats and Weddings Are Leaving the U.S.

By Venue Retreat Editorial

In March 2025, the tone of international travel to the United States shifted dramatically. Reports began to surface — not just of visa delays or long customs lines — but of legal travelers being detained, interrogated, and deported at U.S. borders. They weren’t undocumented. They weren’t breaking any laws. They were visiting family, attending work events, or returning to homes they’d built — and being treated like criminals.

For Venue Retreat clients planning corporate offsites, destination weddings, and wellness gatherings, the alarm bells started ringing. Not because their guests had been detained — but because they might be next. And that possibility was enough to move the party elsewhere.

High-Profile Detentions Raise Alarms

A Canadian Entrepreneur Detained in Shackles

On March 3, 2025, Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian actress and entrepreneur, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while trying to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico to renew her visa. Mooney, who owns property in Los Angeles and has a clean record, was held in ICE custody for 12 days — shackled, denied basic hygiene items, and moved between facilities before being deported to Canada.

“I was treated like a criminal for trying to come home,” she told reporters after her release. Her case quickly made headlines and sent waves of concern through Canadian and international communities.

🔗 Source: Entertainment Weekly

Similarly, German citizens have faced increased scrutiny. The German Foreign Ministry reported that three of its nationals were denied entry and detained upon arrival in the U.S. In response, Germany updated its travel advisory, emphasizing that possessing a visa or an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) does not guarantee entry into the United States.

Venue Retreat Clients Respond: “We Had to Rethink Everything

Since early March, multiple Venue Retreat clients with events planned in the U.S. for late 2025 and 2026 have quietly changed course — literally.

• A European tech firm, originally booked for an offsite in California wine country, moved their gathering to Portugal within days of reading about the many cases happening at the border. “We can’t ask our team to risk being detained just to brainstorm Q4 strategy,” their head of people operations said.

• A London-based couple, planning a vineyard wedding in Napa, canceled their booking and rebooked in Puglia, Italy. With guests coming from Morocco, India, and France, they felt the U.S. was no longer a safe or predictable option. “We want hugs at the airport — not interrogations.”

• A wellness retreat leader with international facilitators postponed her Sedona-based gathering and is now rescheduling in Andalusia. Her decision was triggered by worried clients as well as her own concerns and political values. “We hold space for emotional healing,” she said. “How can I invite people into that if they’re being traumatized at customs?”

What We’re Advising Our Clients Now

At Venue Retreat, we’ve adjusted our guidance for all clients planning 2025 and 2026 events involving international guests:

✅ Consider Alternative Destinations

Countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy, Costa Rica, and Mexico have become preferred destinations for companies and wedding planners looking for beauty, accessibility, and visa-friendly policies.

✅ Build Border Caution into Event Strategy

If you’re still planning a U.S. event, factor in the real possibility that international guests — even with legal status — may be denied entry. We recommend having a digital contingency plan (remote participation or hybrid options), as well as a backup guest-of-honor strategy in the case of key speaker or family absences.

✅ Stay Updated on Travel Warnings

We’re monitoring changes from the Canadian, German, UK, and Indian governments — all of which have signaled concerns about their citizens traveling to the U.S. in recent weeks.

✅ Talk to an Immigration Attorney

Especially for large-scale offsites or high-profile events, we advise clients to consult with legal experts before issuing U.S. invites to international attendees.

At this time the Venue Retreat team

A Gathering Is a Promise — Let’s Keep It Safe

Events are meant to unite people. But when entry into the host country feels more like a gamble than a welcome, the entire spirit of gathering is compromised.

The recent detentions of European, Canadian, and other global citizens have reshaped the landscape of international event planning. It’s not about panic — it’s about prudence. And for 2025 and 2026, many of our clients are choosing peace of mind over the uncertainty of U.S. customs.

At Venue Retreat, we’ll help you find places where your people are welcomed — not watched. Where gathering starts with grace — not gloves.

We’re not retreating from connection.

We’re just re-routing it.

Official Statement from Venue Retreat

23rd March 2025

At Venue Retreat, our mission has always been rooted in one core value: people first.

We exist to help teams connect, families celebrate, and communities gather — across borders, cultures, and time zones. But in light of recent events involving the detention and deportation of international travelers with valid visas upon entry into the United States, we feel it is our responsibility to take a clear and ethical stance.

As of March 2025, we are not recommending the United States as a destination for international retreats, offsites, or events involving guests traveling from abroad.

This decision is not political — it’s personal. Our role is to protect the emotional and physical well-being of those we serve. When the risk of guests being detained, interrogated, or deported becomes a real possibility — regardless of their documentation or purpose of travel — the U.S. no longer meets the standard of safety, predictability, or hospitality that our clients deserve.

We are seeing respected global citizens — from Canada, Germany, India, Brazil, and beyond — denied entry or subjected to harsh treatment at U.S. borders. Many of these individuals were traveling for legitimate, legal, and joyful reasons: weddings, wellness retreats, and company offsites. These stories are heartbreaking. They are unacceptable. And they are avoidable — by choosing destinations that welcome, rather than question, the people we bring together.

Our goal is not profit. It is peace of mind.

We are not in the business of risk. We are in the business of connection. And that means ensuring that everyone — whether they’re flying in to give a keynote or to dance at a loved one’s wedding — can arrive safely and with dignity.

To our clients with upcoming U.S. events involving international guests: we’re here to help you navigate next steps with clarity and care. To our partners and venues across the world: we will continue building relationships rooted in mutual values of trust, inclusion, and belonging.

We believe in global gatherings.

We believe in safety without compromise.

And we believe in finding new paths when the old ones become too uncertain.

With you,

The Venue Retreat Team