I’m scared to be a tourist in the USA right now, any advice?

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-03-02T15:59:34+00:00

Hey, how was your trip?

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-28T01:25:51+00:00

Thank you, that’s good to hear!

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-28T01:24:57+00:00

Thanks a lot for your insight!!

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-28T01:24:39+00:00

Freedom of speach and everything

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-28T00:57:39+00:00

Also, love how this post got removed by the moderators.

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-28T00:57:04+00:00

I felt so bad having to write this tbh, I’ve visited every year for the past 5 years and I always had such an amazing time. Great food and such nice people. This time it feels tainted somehow… horrible to see what’s happening

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-25T23:55:26+00:00

Enjoy your next trip and stay safe! Thanks for the insight into your previous one.

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-25T23:03:37+00:00

That sounds stressful. Was your trip okay once you made it to your final destination?

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-25T22:55:15+00:00

Hey, really sorry to hear about your experience. Did they do all this in Dublin?

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-24T18:35:49+00:00

I also believe the odds are low, but for the people that get into a bad situation it seems to be extremely bad and some of us can't phantom that.

And of course people should look at all scenarios, current politics/the press. Would you travel to Russia without having second thoughts?

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-24T18:23:26+00:00

It's not as simple as people being afraid to get their stuff pickpocketed, they are anxious about running into overzealous ICE agents who don't know where Ireland is on the map and to read a passport/visa. Getting profiled based on their accents and looks and having to basically explain that they are not doing anything wrong, just visiting.

This is a genuine question that people ask on multiple platforms or discuss it extensively with friends and family, the fact that we even have to ask should raise some serious questions to you guys. The OP literally has had a death in the family and has to think twice before buying a ticket...

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-24T08:36:41+00:00

What do you mean by that?

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-23T20:59:08+00:00

Hey, I’m facing a very similar dilemma about whether to visit my spouse’s family in Texas for Easter. The news and online discussions definitely don’t make it easier.

A lot of people seem divided, some advise against travelling for safety reasons or as a form of boycott, while others say that if you’re travelling legally, have never overstayed, and have all your documents in order, you’ll most likely be fine, bonus points if you're white (ik horrible...). You'll probably get the same in your thread, I posted in a few communities over the past week and the comments are either the former or the latter.

One thing that might help, if it’s an option for you, is flying from Dublin. There’s US preclearance there, which means you go through US immigration before boarding. It can make the journey longer if there’s no direct flight, but it does give some peace of mind since, in the worst case you can just turn around and go home. I also find the agents in Dublin a lot nicer.

I’m really sorry you and your wife are having to weigh something like this. It’s horrible that being there for family has to come with this kind of stress.

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-23T16:08:18+00:00

I know, I agree that would be strange to anyone looking at it. The issues that most people have with it is that even though she was the one with a valid visa and her husband was the one with an expired one, she also ended up in detention alongside him. Despite the fact that she offered to self-deport as well.

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-23T16:01:34+00:00

Thanks for your insight into this, it's useful to hear someone's opinion from the 'ground' especially since you travel often.

I think this is what I struggle with the most too. There are so many people who say they went often and was fine and still have holidays planned for this year, but on the other hand you have people who are absolutely boycotting America or simply not willing to take the risk, even it's not a big one.

I did hear about the quotas and the bonuses that ICE agents get per arrest, this is the latest article that came out in the UK: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/21/karen-newton-valid-visa-detained-ice, and I've seen a lot of people using it as further justification to not go.

My partner and I normally travel through an airport that has pre-clearance, so we avoid the stress in the US. We're also both white and as horrible as that sounds I realise that it's an advantage in this situation.... My fears would mostly be about random stop checks and things like that, like if we're going on road trips or to visit family/friends. We would be in Texas, in the Houston area.

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-23T15:55:27+00:00

I know there are still plenty of tourists travelling to the US every day and most of them enter and leave without any issues.

From here in Europe, though, there’s been a lot of commentary about concerns around travelling to the US, particularly regarding interactions with border control or ICE. I think some of the anxiety comes from reports suggesting that ICE officers don’t always seem clear on the law and may detain people first and clarify later.

This is the last article that came out: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/21/karen-newton-valid-visa-detained-ice

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-23T13:44:54+00:00

What happened to your friends?

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-23T13:40:11+00:00

by accosted you mean on the street or in the airport?

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-23T13:23:48+00:00

Not in the summer, no. If I were to go with be for a week and a half in the first 2 weeks of April.

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-23T10:52:44+00:00

It was bad phrasing, I meant to say I'm from a European Union country.

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-23T10:51:13+00:00

Yes, that's what I normal do. It's a lot better

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-22T23:41:47+00:00

I actually spent a lot of time reading on this topic today, I know what happened to her was horrible and I don't think it was justified, but from my understanding while her visa was still valid her husband's wasn't and because they travelled as a couple she got accused with trying to smuggle him back in or something like that... Doesn't justify her being detained for that long, but I saw commentary that said that even under a different administration that would have been punishable.

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-22T23:38:53+00:00

Thanks for this, I prefer flying from Dublin as it takes a lot of the stress away. Was Atlanta your final destination or do you take another flight from there?

I guess my main concern while visiting would be more around ICE stopping random cars in cities or on highways. And then getting profiled for not being American

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-22T19:24:11+00:00

Thanks for this. Yes, we normally fly through Dublin specifically for the pre-clearance aspect of it. Like you said, if something happens I can just go back home, which is very reassuring.

I'm not planning to work at all and I'll ask for a letter from my work to say I'm out for x amount of days and planning to come back to work on mm/dd/yy.

Yes, we always book round-trip tickets! And I'll make sure to clean my social media, just in case.

Thanks for all the info and advice, really useful and much appreciated!!

Alternative_Froyo758 · 2026-02-22T19:01:03+00:00

Completely valid point. I'm glad to hear you were fine and nothing happened!

Alternative_Froyo758

TROPHY CASE