Concern is growing that some people who leave the US – even American citizens – won’t be allowed back in afterwards.
The Trump administration has instituted a tough new regime which has led to some countries warning people to be cautious even if they’ve secured visas or green cards, Newsweek reported. Canadians are also being told to buy a burner phone.
And one US legal firm said even American citizens should consider deleting apps such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or X from devices as they could be inspected by an immigration officer amid an alarming response by China to a decision by Trump.
One case involved the detainment of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who helped lead pro-Palestinian protests at the college amid the war with Israel in Gaza. Administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have filmed video messages posted through U.S. Embassy social media pages across the world, warning that visas or other forms of identification do not guarantee stays if individuals act unruly or “undermine national security.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is warning people travelling internationally outside the U.S. or those entering the country to be wary of phone searches by federal immigration authorities—whether individuals have full citizenship or not. CAIR-Massachusetts Executive Director Tahirah Amtul-Wadud told Newsweek that the seemingly increasing ambiguity in U.S. immigration law is getting worse.
“We’re getting multiple calls a day from people who are worried about whether or not they should travel,” Amtul-Wadud said. “We’re talking about doctors, students, families. We could get calls from one person and the immigration status of people in their family could be varied. They’re taking a family trip and one person could be a green card holder; the other person could be a citizen, right?
“This is complicated for families and it’s scary not knowing who has what right to return here and under what circumstances. What I’m saying as a lawyer and when I’m speaking to other lawyers and doctors and those who have professions where there are explicit obligations of confidentiality in what they provide to the public, I’m saying, ‘Hey, you might be a citizen, but you might have your devices taken and the content downloaded.’
“So, I think of all the students I’ve advised this week and use WhatsApp to do it on. Like, by traveling with that device am I violating my obligation of attorney-client privilege? Are you violating your obligation of HIPAA if you talk to a patient, and now that information is with Customs and Border Patrol. We really have to think about what the implications are based on our exposure, even as citizens.”
One expert issued international travel tips for dealing With US Immigration Officers. US Legal firm Ballard Spahr gave this advice:
For U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens have an absolute right to re-enter the United States, but some have reported heightened questioning based on dual nationality, prior travel history, or other factors.
Ensure your U.S. passport is valid for at least six months and that any foreign passport you carry does not conflict with your U.S. entry.
U.S. citizens should not be denied re-entry but can be delayed—sometimes significantly—especially if flagged in a government database or selected for advanced screening.
Immigration officers may request to view your cell phone or other devices. Consider deleting social media applications such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter) from your devices before you are inspected by an immigration officer.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham has denied that political beliefs could lead to people being barred. He said: “Claims that CBP is searching more electronic media due to the administration change are false,. CBP’s search numbers are consistent with increases since 2021, and less than 0.1 percent of travelers have their devices searched.
“These searches are conducted to detect digital contraband, terrorism-related content, and information relevant to visitor admissibility—all of which play a critical role in national security. Allegations that political beliefs trigger inspections or removals are baseless and irresponsible.”
The CBP website reads in part: “All travelers crossing the United States border are subject to CBP inspection. On rare occasions, CBP officers may search a traveler’s mobile phone, computer, camera, or other electronic devices during the inspection process. … Border searches of electronic devices are often integral to determining an individual’s intentions upon entry to the United States and thus provide additional information relevant to admissibility of foreign nationals under U.S. immigration laws.”
Gadeir Abbas, a senior attorney with CAIR with a background in civil rights litigation, told Newsweek that he and other CAIR attorneys are advising individuals to avoid international travel altogether if they’re not U.S. citizens—based on what the Trump administration may do next.
Source : https://www.the-express.com/travel/usa/168158/travel-alert-us-citizens-delete
