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US airport measures tightened in Trump era: European and Canadian tourists at risk of arrest

More and more travellers are being stopped on arrival in the US, even with regular documents. The alert grows and the flow of tourists declines

Worrying reports continue to come out of President Donald Trump’s America of Europeans and Canadians being detained and arrested on arrival at US airports, despite having proper papers. These incidents, which see some travellers detained for up to weeks before being deported, have prompted countries such as Britain and Germany to issue warnings to their citizens, who, like Italy, can enter the US without a visa for stays of less than 90 days via ESTA. These notices warn of the risk of arrest in the event of even the slightest violation of entry rules.

The stories of apprehended travellers are generating a domino effect, causing a drop in the flow of tourists to the US. The Canadian actress arrested at the border and detained for weeks in ‘inhuman conditions’ is one of the most striking cases. According to projections by Tourism Economics, the number of tourists arriving in the US could drop by 9 per cent in 2025, a direct consequence of the Trump administration’s ‘polarising rhetoric’, especially regarding customs policies and tariffs.

Noor Zafar, a lawyer specialising in immigration law at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), expressed concern about these matters, pointing out how policies at the border have become stricter. To the Washington Post, Zafar advised travellers to familiarise themselves with their rights and the powers of the US authorities. Even visa holders can be turned away, as the final decision rests with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, commonly known as ICE. Only green card holders enjoy greater protection, as their status cannot be revoked without the intervention of a judge.

Foreign nationals who refuse to answer agents’ questions, even if they hold a valid visa, risk being denied entry into the country. Zafar advises all non-citizen travellers to carry the number of an emergency lawyer to contact in case they are stopped at the border.

Another aspect to consider is the checking of electronic equipment, such as computers and mobile phones. Esha Bhandari, deputy director of the ACLU’s Office of Privacy and Technology, warns that agents may examine the contents of these devices. The case of a French scientist stranded at the Houston airport and repatriated the next day because of messages critical of Trump found on his mobile phone was recently reported. The ICE website specifies that only 0.01% of international travellers are subject to such checks, but refusal to undergo them can lead to denial of access.

If you are stopped, Noor Zafar recommends obeying all requests from the authorities and trying to contact a lawyer as soon as possible for legal assistance.

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