Some Considerations While Traveling Abroad During Fraught Times

Passports enable international travel -- often without pain

As an inveterate traveler, the last 5 years have been challenging. First there was COVID, which closed borders and then required herculean hoops to be jumped through once they were re-opened (2022). Since then, travelers have necessarily become accustomed to taking the risk of getting COVID (while masking or not). And now, in 2025, international travel is again feeling mighty dicey for many around the world, especially those considering travel into the United States.

Several countries within the EU, along with Canada, have issued warnings for their citizens traveling to the United States due to headlines of high-profile detentions and an increased scrutiny of electronic devices. Even US citizens/ legal residents/ Green Card & visa holders are concerned. Anecdotally (and I'm ashamed even to say this), those who are people of color, or who have middle-eastern or Hispanic-sounding names, seem to be more at risk of a problematic entry than they were before this administration took over.

Although the existing guidelines and rules for entering the US remain unchanged, there seems to be a more rigorous enforcement of these rules and guidelines than before. Which means that people need to be hyper-vigilant about ensuring that they have all their forms, visas, and documents in good shape before entering the country.

Specific considerations before arriving in the US

1. Make sure you are allowed to enter the US and that all your travel documents are in good standing and accessible (Passport, visa, etc.).

   • Improperly completed visa applications, prior immigration violations (like overstaying a past visa), certain crimes (in the US or abroad), and inconsistency between what you say you will be doing and items with you that might imply that you might be doing something else are red flags and are the most common reasons travelers are detained/ turned away. (Here is a list of reasons you may not be allowed to enter the country.)

2. Answer the questions posed honestly and completely.

   • Be honest about what goods you are bringing in -- better to pay any fees than be hassled, detained, or turned away.

   • If you say you are here for vacation and U.S. Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) finds work files in your bag, that could raise some red flags. If you think you may do some work while in the US, just mention it.

3. Here are some specific steps people are taking in order to minimize the likelihood of unpleasant border interaction when entering the US:

   • Minimize personal or sensitive information in your electronics.

     • Travel only with a "burner" phone or stripped-down computer/ tablet so that there is nothing of interest should US Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) agents search your devices.

   • Power down your phone before going through customs.

   • Turn off face ID to open the phone and keep a PIN number as the only way to unlock the phone's contents. [Legally, you are not required to provide the password, but refusal to give it can lead to temporary confiscation or, for non-US citizens/green card holders, to not being allowed to enter the country.]

   • Delete social media, photo, and/or messaging applications which may contain content you wouldn't want border agents to see before arriving at the border. You can reinstall them after you're in the country.

   • Just to be extra-safe, share your travel plans with a trusted friend or family member and make sure you know their phone number so they can arrange for an immigration lawyer in case you need one.

   • FOR US CITIZENS: Apply for a Trusted Traveler Program (Global Entry, Nexus, TSA Pre, etc.). I have not found a single anecdote of anyone in any of these programs who have had any issues at all arriving in the US.

Know What Is Allowed

Here is a list of what US Customs & Border Patrol can check at and within 100 miles of the US border:   

• People: Border Patrol can inspect individuals' documentation, ask questions about their reasons for travel, and conduct searches of their person and belongings. 

• Vehicles:  Vehicles can be stopped and inspected for contraband, illegal aliens, or other violations of law. 

• Baggage:  Baggage, including personal belongings, can be inspected for prohibited or restricted items. 

• Merchandise:  Goods entering the U.S. are subject to inspection to ensure they meet customs requirements and regulations. 

• Electronic Devices:  Border Patrol has the authority to search electronic devices like phones, computers, and cameras. This includes examining stored data, and in some cases, may require access to passwords or biometrics.  CBP does not need a warrant to search the phones of any travelers arriving at the U.S. border (including airports).

So, should you travel internationally? Am I traveling internationally?

Honestly, only you can decide your risk tolerance. And, while I wholeheartedly understand any and all reticence about traveling to the US right now (be it for political or border-crossing concerns), I do feel compelled to share that I will be traveling. Admittedly, I was concerned about re-entering the US from abroad, but I did my research (which actually inspired this post), and decided to go ahead in large part because (in descending order): I have a Nexus card (I cross the Canadian border for virtually all my travel these days), I'm old (ish), and white (without an overly exotic-sounding last name). That said, I likely will take some precautions before crossing back into the States, like: deleting social media apps and powering down my phone after turning off face-ID. I honestly doubt there will be an issue, but it's just not that big a deal for me to take some of these simple steps.

Best of luck (to us all), and may things get to a better, new normal sometime soon.